Thunder is a half game ahead of the Pelicans right now, but the Pelicans own the tie breaker. Thunder (34-28) remaining schedule: vs. TOR @ LAC vs. MIN vs. CHI @ DAL vs. BOS vs. ATL vs. MIA vs. LAL @ SA @ UTAH @ PHX vs. DAL @ MEM vs. HOU vs. SA vs. SAC @ IND vs. POR @ MIN Pelicans (33-28) remaining schedule: vs. BOS vs. MEM @ MIL @ BKN vs. DEN vs. MIL @ PHX @ GS @ LAC vs. HOU vs. SAC vs. MIN @ LAL @ SAC @ POR vs. GS @ MEM vs. PHX @ HOU @ MIN vs. SA I think the Thunder go (11-9) and the Pelicans go (13-8). It is going to come down to the wire and depend on heavily on KD coming back and producing.
While everyone was focusing on Westbrook's numbers, Pelicans were quietly right behind the Thunder. I can't believe they are only a .5 games behind WITH THE TIEBREAK. uh oh.
The Riley Stat says NOLA has a tough uphill battle to catch OKC. Road Wins v Home Losses OKC is 14-8 NOP is 12-10 +6 versus a +2 that's not close OKC is actually closer to SAS than NOLA is to OKC using RW v HL rather than the skewed ranking of just Ws v Ls.
NO could probably make the playoffs if their team stayed relatively healthy but when was the last time that happened.
I'm pretty sure we're better off if the Thunder get it. Thunder have a better chance to upset the Warriors than the Pellies do. And, it means the Pelicans pick we get is more valuable. But, I like the Pelicans a lot better than the Thunder, so I kinda want them to get it anyway. I haven't forgotten that Bennett stole the team from Seattle. And it's hard to dislike our embattled sister city of New Orleans.
As a Rockets fan, you gotta pull for OKC. Better Pelicans pick, better first round series with GS, and OKC actually has a chance to knock off GS. Also...you never hope for injuries, but if Durant/WB go down, the Thunder become very beatable if we were to ever face them.