3 Teams the Kings absolutely do not want to face in the Play-In Tournament
By Elaine Blum
This season, a 31-23 record is only good for eighth place in the West going into the All-Star Break. Several teams have improved compared to last season, most notably the Timberwolves and Thunder.
Both were Play-In teams last season, and now they rule the Western Conference. The Kings, on the other hand, have stayed pretty much the same and might have to fight their way through the Play-In Tournament.
With its single-elimination games, the Play-In is tough, and the Kings would certainly love to go to the playoffs this season. They need more postseason experience and if the pick they owe to Atlanta doesn’t convey, it would be more complicated to make moves over the summer.
So, let’s look at three teams the Kings absolutely do not want to face in the Play-In Tournament.
3. The New Orleans Pelicans
The Kings have not only lost all four games they played against the Pelicans, they were embarrassed while doing so. With all its size and talented defenders, this Pelicans team is a terrible matchup for the Kings.
Jonas Valanciunas gives the Kings trouble on the boards, Jose Alvarado makes life hell for the ball handlers and the Kings just can’t find a way to slow down Brandon Ingram. Plus, they don’t have enough big bodies to throw at Zion Williamson, and CJ McCollum has shot the three well against the Kings so far.
As the Kings made no moves at the trade deadline and didn’t get bigger or better defensively, none of that has changed. The Pelicans are currently sixth in the West, but outside the top four things can change fast. If the Pelicans were to fall in the standings and the Kings stay put, it probably wouldn’t end well.