1) Wondering which is the best team in the Western Conference right now? New Orleans basketball fans will get an up-close look at every member of the West’s elite over the next four days. Week 12 of the NBA schedule for New Orleans (13-23) is as tough as it gets on paper, with Utah (26-10), Phoenix (28-8) and Golden State (28-7) all coming to the Smoothie King Center from Monday through Thursday. The week concludes with a Sunday visit to Toronto (16-17).
2) New Orleans enters this daunting slate just two games out of 10th place in the West.