Boy, the fact that we’re talking about this subject late in march is crazy. A team consisting of former MVP Kevin Durant, an MVP candidate this year in Russell Westbrook, a much improved Serge Ibaka, a newly acquired low post presence in Enes Kanter, a solidified scorer off the bench in Dion Waters is just half a game up on the surging Pelicans for rights to the 8th seed in the wild Western Conference. The only problem is that all these players are yet to play a game together. Injuries have taken over this team. As of today, Serge Ibaka will miss the rest of the season to fix his knee with upcoming surgery, hoping to return in 4-6 weeks. The playoffs start in 4 weeks and as of right now i really don’t see this team making the playoffs. The Thunder are relying too heavily on Russell Westbrook to will this team into the playoffs. With Ibaka out for the season, and Durant sidelined for the next 2 weeks, this team will soon be looking at an early summer. However their schedule favors the Thunder in many winnable games, facing only few playoff teams in their last 15 games. While the Pelicans have a bit tuffer schedule than OKC, i still expect the Pelicans to pass the injury depleted Thunder in the standings within the next couple days. The Pelicans will still face the Warriors twice, Grizzlies, Blazers, Rockets, Clippers and Spurs, however you’re looking at two winnable games vs. the Warriors while Klay Thompson will be sidelined in at least one of those games with a sprained ankle. Despite the harder schedule i expect the Pelicans to catch the thunder for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, OKC vs. the Warriors would be some kind of first round series. Could we see a possible upset in the first round if the Thunder can hold on to that final playoff spot??
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