NBA: 5 bold predictions for the stretch run in the Western Conference

The New Orleans Pelicans will make the play-in tournament

The New Orleans Pelicans started 3-16 through the first 19 games of the season. On November 23, they had the second-worst record in the league. Since then, they’ve been 20-20. Not great but if they were .500 for the entire season, they would be 8th in the conference.

The addition of CJ McCollum is going to help the team and he’s already paying dividends. If Zion Williamson comes back (though that appears doubtful), the Pelicans are going to be that much more dangerous.

I predict that the Pelicans are going to make the play-in tournament. I’m not sure if they can make any noise, but I also don’t think it’s smart to count them out. Especially in a one-game sample size.