NBA: Underperformers and overachievers for Week 24

Underperformer: New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a precarious position in the playoff race. They are currently fifth in the Western Conference but have the same record as the San Antonio Spurs at 43-32.

As both teams trail the Oklahoma City Thunder for the fourth seed in the West, the Pelicans really need their two-game skid to come to an abrupt halt. They’ve faced two tough opponents in the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers in the last two contests, but given those two teams are both in the playoff race as well, it’s up to New Orleans to match their intensity.

Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic combined for 62 points in their last game on Tuesday night while reserves Darius Miller and Nikola Mirotic shot just 3-for-11 from the field and 1-of-11 from 3-point range.

Anthony Davis has been his usual self during the slump, averaging 30.5 points,11.0 rebounds, 5.0 blocks 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He’ll just need his supporting cast to step up, especially if they hope to get out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.