Halo

Playoffs!? Are you kiddin’ me?

No, actually, this isn't a laughing matter. The New Orleans Pelicans trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by just a single game for the final eighth postseason spot.

Despite injuries to some of their most crucial pieces, including MVP candidate Anthony Davis, coach Monty Williams’ Pelicans are hitting their stride at the right time.

Since the All-Star break, New Orleans has had the No. 6 offense in basketball, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and Thunder.

NOLA’s 9-4 post-ASG record is also tied for the league’s fourth best.

This race is far from over, as OKC will get back reigning MVP Kevin Durant in the next week or so, while New Orleans will embark on a painfully difficult road trip.

All season long, it felt like OKC would eventually run away with the eighth spot. And yet, here we are. The Pelicans control their own destiny, too, having won their season series against the Thunder, 3-1.

Rankings on the following slides are based on how much a given player will help New Orleans outlast Oklahoma City in the chase for eighth.

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