I don't think it will matter, regardless of which matchup the league might theoretically want, because the Pelicans are simply the better, healthier team, and the Blazers have very little chance of keeping up with them over the nest month.
True, and we were 0-4 against OKC last year too. But we have neither Dame/Nurk/Collins at the moment and no definitive timeline on when at least two of those guys will return. We have the same # of losses as NO now and have to finish at least one game ahead. Given the schedules, this doesn't look promising.
Steph returning Sunday... If you were the warriors wouldn’t you rest him for the season? There is no chance they make the playoffs; as I’ve said in the past is against tanking, but for their situation it makes much more sense to focus on keeping guys healthy and looking towards next season.
Curry wants to play and there's not a huge benefit to going against his wishes when he's fully healthy and in his prime. Not to mention, they'll gain ~20 games of seeing how he plays with Wiggins. They're comfortably in last place, and the bottom 3 teams all get equal shots at the #1 pick. They also have one of the hardest schedules remaining. There's probably more benefit overall to them to have Curry play than to bench him.
I wouldn't call him terrible, but he's certainly dropped his productivity across the board. I don't know if it's age or what?
I read this interview - it was good. https://hoopshype.com/2020/02/23/nb...blazers-depression-drugs-kevin-durant-degree/
He's been flat awful. Guy started last night and had 8 points 1 assist and 3 turnovers. And he's shooting 39% from the field on the season. And they play so much better when he's nowhere near the court.