The New Orleans Pelicans improved to 6-0 in opposition to the Sacramento Kings this season with Friday evening’s 105-98 play-in event victory, turning into the primary NBA workforce to go 6-0 in a season (and not using a playoff collection) in opposition to an opponent for the reason that Denver Nuggets in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1994-95.
In keeping with ESPN Stats & Data, the Pelicans additionally extended a streak of No. 7 seeds by no means lacking the playoffs for the reason that play-in event was adopted in 2020. Contemplating New Orleans misplaced 110-106 to the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday evening’s play-in matchup, the Pelicans shall be coming into the playoffs as an eighth seed.
Per a number of NBA betting websites, the Pelicans maintain ninth-ranked odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are displaying higher odds for the Phoenix Suns and Lakers.
“We did it 6 instances. I’m glad we did it.”@AlvaradoJose15 talks Pelicans ending season 6-0 vs. Kings and reacts to the Spherical 1 matchup with the Thunder pic.twitter.com/8UIhZzCAeW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 20, 2024
“We deserved it. That’s how we felt coming into this recreation,” stated Larry Nance Jr., who completed with 13 factors, 4 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 21 minutes off the bench. “We need to be within the playoffs. You don’t win 49 video games by chance.”
Regardless of shedding leading-scorer Zion Williamson to a left hamstring pressure throughout Tuesday’s play-in loss, the Pelicans managed to win their sixth-straight matchup with Sacramento to maintain their season alive.
Moreover, New Orleans improved to 3-5 of their final eight dwelling video games performed on a Friday.
New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram scored a team-high 24 factors in opposition to Sacramento Kings
Moreover, Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans in scoring with 24 factors on 10-of-20 (50%) capturing from the sphere, and Jonas Valanciunas added 19 factors, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.
“We stayed collectively. We supported one another. And we performed for one another,” Valanciunas stated. “All of us wish to get to the playoffs. And we did it by taking part in good basketball, by supporting one another, serving to one another on protection, on offense, sharing the ball, you already know, making a proper play. It’s enjoyable basketball to play that means.”
In fact, Trey Murphy III changed Williamson as starter throughout his absence. The third-year wing added 16 factors, eight rebounds, and 6 assists in a game-high 43 minutes performed for New Orleans.
“It feels good. this was the purpose in the beginning of the yr … we got here in and all people contributed.”
B.I. on making the playoffs pic.twitter.com/JnJuYXbrqF
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 20, 2024
“It feels good. This was a purpose in the beginning of the yr,” Ingram stated of clinching a playoff berth. “We had one other alternative right now and we got here in and all people contributed.”
Extra importantly, New Orleans prevented the improper facet of historical past on Friday evening. Had the Pelicans misplaced to Sacramento, they might have grow to be the primary 49-win workforce in additional than 50 years (Phoenix in 1972) to overlook the NBA playoffs.
The Pelicans start their first-round playoff collection on Sunday on the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
