MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[Smitty]

“Pelicans' Brandon Ingram has suffered a bone contusion in his left knee. Fortunate diagnosis for New Orleans and its star forward avoiding serious injury, but Ingram is expected to miss at least two weeks.”

#4 LAC 43-25      -
#5 NOP 42-27  1.5GB
#6 DAL 41-29    3GB
#7 PHX 41-29    3GB
#8 SAC 40-29   3.5GB


Pelicans Schedule. #9 SOS .522
@ MIA
@ DET
vs OKC
vs MIL
vs BOS
vs PHX
vs ORL
vs SAS
@ PHX
@ POR
@ SAC
@ GSW (b2b)
@ LAL

Mavs Schedule. #22 SOS .422
@ UTAH
@ SAC (b2b)
@ SAC
@ HOU
@ GSW
vs ATL
vs GSW (b2b)
vs HOU
@ CHA
@ MIA (b2b)
vs DET
@ OKC

Suns Schedule. #2 SOS .574
@ SAS
@ SAS
@ DEN
@ OKC
@ NOP
vs CLE
vs MIN
vs NOP
vs LAC
@ LAC (b2b)
@ SAC
@ MIN

Kings Schedule. #3 SOS .562
@ ORL
vs PHI
vs DAL (b2b)
vs DAL
vs UTAH
vs LAC
@ NYK
@ BOS (b2b)
@ BKN
@ OKC
vs NOP
vs PHX (b2b)
vs POR


This finish is going to be fascinating to watch. Can the Mavs get to 5? The Pelicans without Ingram for at least two weeks makes it seem plausible. Do we even want the Mavs to jump up to 5? That probably sets up a first round matchup with the Clippers and if you’re fortunate to win that series you probably get the defending champs in round 2.

There’s certainly no easy road in the West but my ideal scenario is still Denver finishing 1 and Dallas 6, keeping them on the OKC/MIN side of the bracket. But a run of LAC - DEN - OKC - BOS championship would rival the 2011 one as the greatest ever.