BROOKLYN (WVUE) – When the Pelicans take on the Brooklyn Nets (26-42; 11th East) Tuesday (March 19) night on the road, they’ll try to reach a franchise milestone that hasn’t been accomplished in 15 years.
The Pels are in the midst of one of their strongest campaigns in recent history. With a record of 41-26 overall, they are one game behind the Clippers for the fourth seed in the star-studded Western Conference. A victory on Tuesday will bring their win total up to 42, clinching a winning season.
Reaching win No. 42 would mark the first time the franchise has recorded back-to-back seasons over .500 since the 2007-08 team (56-26) and the 2008-09 (49-33) team did it led by star point guard Chris Paul.
42 is also the total number of wins the Pelicans earned last season, and they missed the playoffs following a 113-108 first-round exit to Minnesota in the Play-In Tournament. With 15 games to go in the current regular season, the Pelicans have an opportunity to exceed the previous year’s mark.
The Pels in the coach Willie Green era first made their marks by entering the playoff with a sub-.500 team (36-46 overall) in the 2021-22 season by winning the Play-In Tournament, qualifying for the 8th seed. If the Pelicans keep their current pace, there will be a measurement of growth for the squad in each of Green’s three seasons as head coach.
Brooklyn is currently on a three-game losing streak and has gone 16-18 in home games. Brooklyn has a 12-29 record against opponents over .500. New Orleans has a road record of 21-13.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Pelicans won the last matchup 112-85 on Jan. 3. CJ McCollum scored 16 points to help lead the Pelicans to the win.
Nicolas Claxton is averaging 12.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks for the Nets. Mikal Bridges is averaging 17.7 points over the last 10 games.
Zion Williamson is averaging 23 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists over the last 10 games. Brandon Ingram is averaging 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans are one of the few teams to rank in the Top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
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