After the playoff hopes seemed dead and gone last week following four losses in five games, the Pelicans have climbed right back into the playoff chase, though the final trek will still be steep.
As we enter the final month of the regular season and with the race for the eighth seed tightening, we begin a daily look at the race and the constantly shifting landscape.
Conference standings
8. Memphis Grizzlies (32-32) —
The Grizzlies weren’t in action on Sunday.
9. New Orleans Pelicans (28-36) 4 GB
The Pelicans took a step forward on Sunday by handling a Minnesota side that stunned them last week. It was an important win to kick off a four-game Western Conference road trip.
10. Sacramento Kings (28-36) 4 GB
Sacramento has come out of nowhere to become a factor in the playoff race. But Sunday saw them fall to the Raptors on a night when Kyle Lowry outdueled De’Aaron Fox.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-37) 4.5 GB
The Blazers weren’t in action on Sunday
12. San Antonio Spurs (26-36) 5 GB
If the Pelicans had a bad loss, the Spurs had a crippling one on Sunday, falling to the Cavs 132-129 with Andre Drummond going off for 28 points and 17 rebounds.
Games to watch and rooting interests
Oddly, Monday has just three NBA games on the slate and only two involving Western Conference teams. It’ll be a rare off night for games of consequence in the eight seed.
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