Starting with the Clippers on October 23, the New Orleans Pelicans will play eight straight games against expected playoff teams. After the Clippers, the Pelicans have a back-to-back set of games on the weekend against the upstart Brooklyn Nets and the Utah Jazz. Many outlets picked the Jazz to finish with a better record than the Pelicans.
After those three home games this week, the next five games are road affairs against the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. All five teams are good bets for the playoffs, and the Pelicans will be tested early.