OAKLAND – There were plenty of times during the second half of the 2017-18 regular season, particularly in April, when it seemed like New Orleans’ fate was hanging in the balance entering a certain matchup. The Pelicans ended up closing the 82-game schedule with five straight victories, which in hindsight not only allowed them to reach the playoffs, but also avoid a bottom-tier seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
This time there is nothing vague about what’s at stake when the Pelicans take the floor Tuesday at Oracle Arena in Game 5 vs. the defending NBA champions. If Golden State extends its playoff home winning streak this evening, it will spell the end of the best New Orleans season in 10 years.