The NBA’s Western Conference playoff race is heating up, with the final six spots in the postseason separated by a matter of a few games. That means teams having a good week can make a huge leap in the standings, even if that means they just go up a game or two on the others.
Winners of their last 10, the New Orleans Pelicans are on a roll and have risen to fourth in the Western Conference standings. And while the story has been the Houston Rockets and their 17-game win streak, other teams and players have taken notice.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, for example, has been very impressed by the Pelicans. In fact, the way they’ve won 10 straight with Anthony Davis over the last few weeks has been of particular note to the All-Star.
Draymond Green on the Pelicans recent winning streak. I'm surprised how informed he is. pic.twitter.com/M0RzpTFApq
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) March 8, 2018
“I’m mostly impressed with New Orleans,” Green says. “Some of the games they’ve won with some of the numbers that AD’s put up has been incredible.”
The Rockets have been a machine and currently lead the West, but Green noted the Pelicans are doing all this without DeMarcus Cousins, whose season ended with a ruptured achilles.
“Doing that without DeMarcus… you know I think there was a kind of consensus around the world when DeMarcus went out that they’d struggle, and yet AD’s put them boys on his back and they’re on a 10-game win streak. I think they tied their franchise record if I’m not mistaken. That’s impressive.”
Green was sure not to disrespect the Rockets, calling it “great and impressive as well” that they’ve rattled off 17 straight, but he does have a good point. A lot of people expected the Pelicans to falter without Cousins in the lineup. Instead, Davis has just gotten better. There are few sure things in the West right now, but Davis is doing his part to making sure the Pelicans become playoff team down the stretch. He’s just gotta stay healthy himself, too.
