In the vast, but quickly fleeting tapestry of the NBA season, the New Orleans Pelicans fly under the radar, boasting an improved 41-26 record that firmly plants them as the 5th seed in the Western Conference drag race. Their recent win over Portland speaks volumes of their depth, with CJ McCollum’s 30-point eruption serving as a headline, it was surrounded by a constellation of talent including Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Trey Murphy III, each contributing 20+ points. The good times roll down in New Orleans as they have won six of their last seven games. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets languish in the shadows of mediocrity, their 26-42 record relegating them to the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite Cam Thomas’ valiant effort, mustering 31 points in a solitary display, the Nets falter under the weight of collective inconsistency, as evidenced by the absence of any other player surpassing the 20-point mark. West meets East on Tuesday.

The Nets lost their only game against New Orleans, 112-85, this season on January 2.

Control

Following their 122-115 defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, Dennis Schroder took it upon himself to rally the team’s spirits. Reflecting on Schroder’s impact, teammate Nic Claxton noted, “Dennis was definitely the loudest voice, trying to get everybody on the same page.” Despite the eventual loss, Schroder’s tenacity shone through, epitomized by his clutch game-tying three-point shot and a 19-point contribution. Undeterred by adversity, Schroder maintained his unwavering optimism, “Don’t take being in the NBA for granted.” Yet, despite Schroder’s rallying cries and the team’s collective efforts, the Nets find themselves grasping for positivity amidst a challenging stretch. Their aspirations for a Play-In berth now hang by a thread, trailing the final spot by 4.5 games. As the Nets navigate the remaining 14 games of the season, they have a lot of work to and they need the right personnel in the right roles to do it.

On that note, Cam Johnson was sent to the bench. Reflecting on his evolving situation, Johnson emphasizes, “Control what you can control…my job is to help this team win games, and that’s what I’m gonna do, whether I’m starting, coming off the bench, playing 10 minutes or playing 40 minutes.” Despite signing a lucrative four-year contract last summer, Johnson acknowledges the struggles that have marred his season, including a string of injuries that have hindered his availability and impacted his statistical output, with a subdued average of 13.7 points per game on a 45.2 percent shooting rate. Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie praises Johnson’s professionalism and intensity, affirming the team’s focus on what’s best for collective success.

March Forth!

The New Orleans Pelicans are on the verge their first Southwest Division title since 2008, propelled by the transformative dedication of their star forward, Zion Williamson. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed on The Hoop Collective, Williamson’s steadfast commitment to physical fitness has become the cornerstone of the Pelicans’ run. Shedding over 25 pounds since December, Williamson’s transformation has not only elevated his performance but has also ignited a collective fire within the team. The wake-up call came in the loss to Los Angeles in the In-Season Tournament semifinals, where Williamson’s lackluster showing under the national spotlight against LeBron James. Since then, he is averaging 23.9 points on an impressive 62.5 percent shooting in March alone. Leading the Pelicans’ charge, Williamson has steered them to a commanding position atop the Southwest Division with a 41-26 record. With the Pelicans riding an eight out of nine-game winning streak this month, the momentum is there as they embark on a pivotal four-game road trip, commencing with a showdown against the Brooklyn Nets.

March has proven to be a month of success and navigation for the New Orleans Pelicans, marked by their impeccable performance during a recent 3-0 road trip across the Eastern time zone in Week 20 of the NBA calendar. As they gear up for Week 22, their schedule mirrors the prior journey, embarking on a four-game expedition against Eastern Conference rivals within a compact six-day timeframe, venturing through Brooklyn, Orlando, Miami, and Detroit. While the Nets and Pistons find themselves counting ping pong balls, the Magic and Heat stand entrenched in a fierce battle for positions 4-8, amidst a tight cluster of teams separated by a mere three games. Noteworthy in the Pelicans’ itinerary is their frequency of high-margin victories with 15 wins this season by a margin of 20 points or more, including a commanding 27-point dub over the Nets earlier in the year. With Brooklyn’s playoff aspirations dwindling, evidenced by Atlanta’s 4.5-game lead over them and a middling home record of 16-18, the Pelicans enter this crucial stretch poised to capitalize on their momentum and further solidify their position in the Western Conference standing as we start to close out March.