Halo

The door is just about shut on the New Orleans Pelicans' playoff hopes. With franchise point guard Jrue Holiday out for the rest of the season and the team closer to the bottom of the conference than the eighth seed, it's time to focus on smaller individual goals rather than the lofty expectations that preceded the season.

That may seem like an admission of defeat, but it's more like an acceptance of reality. The team's depth has been destroyed by a series of injuries to several key players, with guys shuttling in and out of the lineup from Day 1.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. The season's final stretch will be a showcase both for the team's remaining healthy studs and the backup players who have thrust into larger roles due to injury. There's something to be learned about the character of the roster with less to play for as a team down the stretch.

Who can make a statement down the stretch? Read on to find out.

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