NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans host the Los Angeles Lakers in a very important season finale that will determine how tough of a road each team has to go through in the NBA Playoffs.
First the good news
The Pelicans will be, at the very least, the 7th seed in the NBA's Western Conference. They have earned that right due to a 49-32 record with one game remaining in the season.
Now the less good news
There is a HUGE difference in being the 6th seed or the 7th seed. The 6th seed, the spot the Pelicans currently hold, gets six days of rest and an opportunity to know who they play the following weekend.
The 7th seed has to participate in the play-in tournament, meaning they only get one day off before hosting the 8th seed. The winner of that game gets the 7th seed. The loser then plays the winner of the 9th vs. 10th game. The winner then advances. The loser waits until next year.
Win and they're in, lose and there's a chance
It's between the Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns for that critical 6th seed. The Pelicans hold a one-game lead over the Suns, so, if they can defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in Sunday's finale, the Pelicans get the 6th seed and at least six days off.
The Suns play the Timberwolves, who are in a battle for the top seed and home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, so they are motivated.
Bottom line: Pelicans win or Suns lose and Pelicans are 6th seed. The only way for the Pelicans to have to go to the Play-in would be to lose to the Lakers AND have the Suns upset the Timberwolves.
Where can I see the Pelicans-Lakers game?
The Lakers are TV ratings gold, as is Zion, so the NBA has awarded this game to ESPN. It's at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.