Just in time for a potential playoff push the New Orleans Pelicans have a relatively easy schedule throughout January. Most importantly they will not play a single back-to-back in the month and will not face a significant rest disadvantage for the next 30 days. Of their 14 games this month 12 are against Eastern Conference opponents. None are against the primary competition for the 8th seed in the West; the Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers.
This is both good and bad. Wins over the teams in the hunt for the 8th seed count double; a win for the Pelicans and a loss for their opponent.