Game 35: Can the New Orleans Pelicans rise up to the challenge against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks for a second time?

Maybe the New Orleans Pelicans have saved winning ball games for after Christmas?

Either way, when looking up the standings, six teams stand between them and sitting just inside the playoff bubble. Although only 3.5 games separates everyone, the Western Conference is shaping up to be the hardest race yet in history, with 14 of the 15 teams still having legitimate playoff hopes.

We’ve talked ad naseum about the reasons for disappointment: injuries, untimely play, coaching decisions, roster construction — pretty much everything at one time or another. As for you, it’s gotten old for us. Let’s hope we start seeing some winning basketball soon — like tonight, against an opponent the Pelicans surprisingly trounced in their first meeting — or let’s begin to shift our attention in earnest towards the future.

Cause this flailing about in the lowest part of the middle ground sucks!

Where To Watch

What: New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks

Where: American Airlines Arena

When: Wednesday, December 26, 2018, 7:30 p.m. Central

How: FSNO, FSSW, 99.5 FM WRNO

Spread: +2.0