The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz haven’t gotten much help from West opponents, but that may change soon

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 5: the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Orlando Magicon March 5, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 5: the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Orlando Magicon March 5, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO,TX – FEBRUARY 28 : Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans gets high fives from teammates after grabbing a rebound on a missed foul shot against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on February 28, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO,TX – FEBRUARY 28 : Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans gets high fives from teammates after grabbing a rebound on a missed foul shot against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on February 28, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

#4 – New Orleans Pelicans

Of the bunch, perhaps the New Orleans Pelicans have been the most surprising of all. After losing DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles injury and finding themselves near the bottom of the Western Conference playoff mix, many assumed they were among the most likely of candidates to drop out of postseason contention. Instead, they’ve gone an an impressive eight-game winning streak that’s lifted them all the way up to fourth in the West.

However, it should be noted that five of those eight wins were over non-playoff teams. The other three were against the lackluster Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks and the struggling San Antonio Spurs. Yes, an eight-game win streak is impressive regardless of the competition, but the Pelicans have a ways to go before they’ve proven to me that they’re playing as well as their streak indicates.

They’ll have a challenge tonight as they face the LA Clippers, then will close out the week against the Washington Wizards and our very own Utah Jazz in what could be one heck of a showdown.

New Orleans’ schedule is pretty tough from there with games against the likes of the Houston Rockets (twice), Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and several others in this 3-9 seed slug-fest, so they could come back down to earth in a hurry if they’re not careful. Not only that, but due to having to reschedule their previously postponed game against the Indiana Pacers due to a leaky roof, the Pelicans will play three straight games on March 20-22.

That stretch begins with the hapless Dallas Mavericks, but then is followed by the contest against the red hot Indiana Pacers and concludes on the third game in as many nights against the Lakers, who have been rolling of late.

The Pelicans’ remaining schedule isn’t as tough as that of some others, but they have enough obstacles along the way that there’s a very good chance that they’ll significantly under-perform compared to their current eight-game win streak to close out the year.

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