The New Orleans Pelicans enter the last third of January at 16-27, 12th in the West, and just 0.5 game ahead of the tie at 13th and 14th. The next couple of weeks is not a normal couple of weeks, however. Rather, it is full of interacting uncharacteristically important events, each with the potential disproportionately affect the fate of the season, at least in relation to the Playoffs. The Pelicans can’t make the Playoffs with their performance here, but they can certainly put the much more out of reach.
- Zion’s Debut. The importance of Zion is well-established, but actually introducing him into the game plan as he acclimates to the game is a variable to keep an eye on.