Fansided

Who can crash the playoff field in the NBA’s 22-team restart?

By Bryan Toporek

CJ McCollum, #3, Damian Lillard, #0, Carmelo Anthony, #00, Portland Trail Blazers, (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
CJ McCollum, #3, Damian Lillard, #0, Carmelo Anthony, #00, Portland Trail Blazers, (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 04: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jrue Holiday #11 react against the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 04, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 04: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jrue Holiday #11 react against the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 04, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2. New Orleans Pelicans

Had the 2019-20 season not gone on hiatus, the New Orleans Pelicans likely would have had a roughly 50-50 shot at leaping over the Memphis Grizzlies for the West’s No. 8 seed. The Grizzlies had the league’s toughest remaining strength of schedule, while the Pelicans had the third-easiest, according to DAZN’s Micah Adams.

Instead, the Pelicans will have to settle for the possibility of forcing a play-in tournament against the Grizzlies for that final playoff spot.

Star rookie Zion Williamson didn’t make his regular-season debut until late January after suffering a meniscus tear during the preseason, but it didn’t take him long to get up to speed. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick averaged 23.6 points on 58.9 percent shooting and 6.8 rebounds in only 29.7 minutes across 19 games, buoying the Pelicans to a 10-7 record whenever he played at least 25 minutes.

Joining Williamson will be first-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, who’ll look to put a feather in the cap of his Most Improved Player campaign. Ahead of a foray into restricted free agency this offseason, Ingram is setting new career highs in points (24.3), rebounds (6.3), assists (4.3) and 3-pointers (2.4), which is the definition of a well-timed breakout.

The combination of Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball in the backcourt gives the Pelicans two interchangeable ball-handlers and playmakers, while JJ Redick and Josh Hart can provide some much-needed shooting off the bench. Meanwhile, veteran center Derrick Favors serves as the foundation of their defense.

The Pelicans’ depth, top-end talent and upside makes them a team worth fearing once play resumes in Orlando. The relative inexperience of Ingram, Ball and Williamson could work against them in this condensed regular-season format where every game takes on additional importance, though.

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