The New Orleans Pelicans are 13-27 and yet, not out of the race. At 5.5 out of the eighth seed and now 12th in the conference, New Orleans is looking for a strong stretch of games to allow them to get back into the race and, at least, consider the idea of making a trade for one final push. Do I agree with it? Not really, but as the Phoenix Suns leapfrogged the Pelicans in the lottery, it's becoming more and more apparent that it's fight or flight for New Orleans.
And this stretch is exactly what they wanted.