New Orleans defies all predictions.
The Pelicans are the first team in 46 years to finish a season 10 or more games under .500 and then win at least two playoff games — and that’s not even counting the two in-game wins just to officially reach the playoffs.
The last team to pull off such a trick was the Detroit Pistons, who were 36-46 when they won four playoff games in two different series in the 1976 playoffs.
But New Orleans changed that and sometimes made it look easy.
The Pelicans went 36-46 and finished 28 games behind the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the standings this season. It doesn’t matter now, not with their first-round playoff series tied 2-2 heading into the deciding Game 5 in Phoenix on Tuesday night.
“I think this is our moment,” said Brandon Ingram of New Orleans. “We have worked so hard throughout the year to become a better team.”
The Pelicans-Suns game is one of three on Tuesday’s schedule: top-seeded Miami looks to eliminate eighth-seeded Atlanta in Game 5 of this series, and second-seeded Memphis hosts the Minnesota, seeded seventh, in Game 5 of this tied game. -up matchup.
Phoenix led 53-34 at halftime in Game 1 against New Orleans. The Pelicans have beaten the Suns in nine of 14 quarters played in the series since. And in the 2½ games since Phoenix lost Devin Booker to a hamstring injury, the Pelicans have beaten the Suns 277-257.
In Game 4, New Orleans rocked the first seed in the streak. Suns goaltender Chris Paul committed three types of fouls — personal, flagrant and technical — in 99 seconds in the fourth quarter as the Pelicans pulled away for a tied victory.
“I’ll be better in Game 5,” Paul said. “Must be there.”
Otherwise, the Suns could face a road playoff in Game 6.
Trae Young is already facing one in Game 5.
Atlanta’s leading scorer has more turnovers (24) than field goals (20) in four games. He took 11 shots in the Hawks’ Game 4 home loss on Sunday, and 10 of them were 3-point range.
“I’ll figure it out,” Young said.
Memphis and Minnesota are now playing a best-of-three series, with the two having gone 1-1 at each other’s turf. The winners of Game 5 in a 2-2 series have a huge statistical advantage, and Grizzlies goaltender Ja Morant – who had a thigh problem – says he’s not as explosive as he would like.
“I can be honest right now. I’m not Ja right now,” Morant said.
Tuesday matches:
HAWKS IN HEAT
Miami leads 3-1. Game 5, 7 p.m. EDT, NBA TV.
– NEED TO KNOW: The Hawks have already won two playoff games, thanks to the play-in tournament. But none have come against a team like Miami, which has Jimmy Butler (30.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.8 spg) playing at a very high level.
— KEEP AN EYE ON: Young. He’s been held to single digits in two of four games, and he’ll almost certainly come out a lot more aggressive in Game 5.
– INJURY WATCH: Heat PG Kyle Lowry (hamstring) will miss his second straight game. Young twisted an ankle in Game 4, but Hawks coach Nate McMillan said he was fine Monday.
— THE PRESSURE IS ON: Miami. A team with injuries (Lowry) and lingering pain (pretty much everyone) would obviously benefit from a bye before the second round. The last thing the Heat need is to go back to Atlanta and give the Hawks hope.
TIMBERWOLVES AT THE GRIZZLIES
Series tied 2-2. Thu 5, 7:30 p.m. EDT, TNT
–NEED TO KNOW: Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns is coming off the highest-scoring playoff game of his career with 33 points, 13 of those in Game 4. If this version of Towns shows up for Game 5, Minnesota advantage.
– KEEP AN EYE OUT: Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies. Morant is shooting 9 of 31 over the last two games, and Jackson has totaled 13 points in those contests.
– INJURY WATCH: Morant said he was “almost there” when asked if he was healthy after Game 4. And while he hasn’t been shooting well lately, his numbers rebound and assist also have a huge impact.
— THE PRESSURE IS ON: There is enough to go around. Minnesota has a chance to take control and get a close game at home. Memphis can’t expect to lose twice at home and advance.
PELICANS IN THE SUN
Series tied 2-2. Thu 5, 10 p.m. EDT, TNT
– NEED TO KNOW: In the 16-team NBA playoff format, in place since 1984, teams with a 36-46 record or worse had a combined 3-28 record in the conference quarterfinals prior to this season. Most teams in this situation have been swept away. And yet, here are the Pelicans, in a 2-2 draw.
— KEEP AN EYE: What the game is called. Game 4 got very choppy in the aftermath, so expect New Orleans’ Jose Alvarado to try and ruffle Paul’s feathers again. If he succeeds, it’s not good for the Suns. The other major factor in Game 4 was New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas doing what he wanted. Phoenix needs Deandre Ayton to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
– INJURY WATCH: Booker (hamstring) remains out for the Suns.
— THE PRESSURE IS ON: Phoenix. Entirely, completely, on Phoenix. The Suns are 2-6 in their last eight playoff games since last season’s NBA Finals. And New Orleans thinks it can solve that problem.
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AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.
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