Post-season play for the Pelicans begins tonight, though not necessarily NBA playoff basketball.
The Pelicans look to pack in a crowd at the Smoothie King Center tonight for a rematch with the L.A. Lakers, who beat them in Sunday's season finale, preventing the birds from ascending straight to the NBA playoffs.
Normally home court advantage would be a good thing, but, "the Pelicans are having trouble winning at home," notes NBA writer Oleh Kosel.
Kosel says despite the Lakers knocking the Pelicans into the play-in tournament, there are a couple of things working in their favor.
"First thing is, they have always bounced back after bad, disappointing losses," said Kosel. "Second of all, the Lakers are not completely formidable."
There is also history, albeit brief history, working in the Pelicans favor, according to Kosel.
"Last three years, since the play-in tournament format has been inducted, the seventh seed has always advanced to the playoffs," he said.
They tip off tonight at 6:30. The winner advances to the NBA playoff, the loser plays the winner of the Kings-Warriors play-in game for the NBA playoff's eighth and final seed.
