It also might not. The Lakers have the advantage of playing the Pels one more time and with AD and LeBron scrapping and clawing to not completely miss the playoffs, I could see that team pulling off wins against some of those damn good teams they play down the stretch. I'm not saying that it's likely but I'm still hoping that both the Spurs and Lakers finish out crazy strong and boot the Pelicans from the play in. And while that's not likely it is likely that even if the Pelicans make it to the play ins they will lose there (PG13 and Norm will probably be back for the Clippers).
I think this pick will come down to the Pelicans going to either Los Angeles or Minneapolis for the 2nd play-in game. Paul George is coming back tonight and Norm should be back within 7-10 days for the Clippers. Hopefully KAT and Anthony Edwards will be enough to hold off the Pelicans in one home game. At this point, I don’t trust the Spurs or Lakers to beat the Pelicans in New Orleans.
I don't trust the Spurs or Lakers to beat the Pelicans but the Lakers without AD just had a commanding lead that they choked away against this team who looked like they were playing with the same roster they will have in the play ins and the Spurs have been hot. That being said I fully expect that either the Clippers or Wolves will beat the Pelicans but good fucking grief is that game going to be stressful because anything can happen in a win or go home game.
Clippers with an insane comeback. This win might solidify their position in #8, meaning the Pels would have to win twice in the PIT to get to the playoffs.
Yeah, it's one game so anything can happen but if the Pelicans face the Clippers or maybe the Wolves (if NOLA even makes it to the second game) I feel like either of those teams would be huge favorites over CJ's squad. I'd still like to see the Lakers go on a run and the Spurs to stay on theirs to assure that the Pelicans can't make the playoffs but Paul George and most likely Norm being available for the Clippers really makes me feel a lot better about our prospects of having two lotto picks in this draft.
I’m fairly confident that the Clippers with PG and Norm back (outside chance Kawhi comes back) and the Wolves are bad matchups for the Pelicans. Both teams have guys that could pretty much neutralize CJ defensively.
I hope Norm comes back. He'd make a huge difference. Reggie Jackson is awful. Tonight he took more shots than any player on either team (24). He was 8 of 24 (2-11 on threes) for 21 points. Norm was playing backup point guard at the time he got injured and was shooting much better.
Lakers now 11th. They might not make the play-in. Saving grace is that the Pels are a better bet to lose a game against a team they should beat over winning two in the play-in round.
Sure but Dame was still there and defenses have to account for him, thus making it easier to take over. There’s no Dame in New Orleans. CJ is playing the role of Dame.
