1) New Orleans (47-34) will hold its annual FANtastic FANale on Wednesday, hosting a regular season game with a playoff berth already in hand for the first time since 2011. Tip-off between the Pelicans and Spurs is at 7. Tickets are available here.
3) New Orleans players feel gratified to prove numerous skeptics incorrect, by reaching the playoffs.
5) As you can see, the Pelicans may enter the Western Conference playoffs anywhere from a 5 seed to an 8 seed, with the most likely Round 1 opponent being Portland (with a win Wednesday) or Houston (with a loss Wednesday). New Orleans will open its first-round series on the road either Saturday or Sunday, which means – partly depending on the trip required – it could depart for the road Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Based on previous-year scheduling, Game 2 will be next week on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, with the earliest possible Pelicans home playoff game taking place Thursday, April 19.