The entirety of New Orleans’ 2017-18 regular season has been played on a virtual tightrope, with the Pelicans never sporting a record of more than three games above .500, or more than two games below it. Since early November, New Orleans has been in the top eight of the Western Conference standings, but never with much breathing room – it’s frequently filled the No. 8 spot, and at 17-16 overall, eighth is also the Pelicans’ current position.
The final week of December could finally provide a chance to move out of that precarious place in the West. Over the next four days, New Orleans will host three teams that are a combined 9-34 on the road this season, starting with a Wednesday game vs.