New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis
Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Reuters

The Memphis Grizzlies dealt a crucial loss to rivals Oklahoma City Thunder, 100-92 on Friday night and coupled with the New Orleans Pelicans’ 101-95 win over the Sacramento Kings, the battle for the eighth and final seed for the Western Conference is seriously heating up with a few games to go in the regular season.

The loss dropped the Thunder to 42-34 while the win brought the Pelicans (41-34) within half game of OKC. The Phoenix Suns (38-38) are still mathematically in the race for a postseason slot but they don’t control their destiny as they need both Oklahoma City and New Orleans to struggle big time in the stretch run.

Memphis Grizzlies 100, Oklahoma City Thunder 92

Russell Westbrook couldn’t save the Thunder in this game missing 15-of-20 shots but still finishing with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. The entire OKC squad actually struggled from the field like their Most Valuable Player-candidate, shooting just 40.9% from the field or making 36-of-88 field goals.

The usually defensive-minded Grizzlies put a good effort on offence in this one as all starters finished in double-figure scoring led by Jeff Green’s 22 points. Marc Gasol had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while Mike Conley had 13 points and 7 assists and Zach Randolph had 14 points and 7 rebounds. This was a crucial win for the Grizzlies as well as they kept up with the Houston Rockets with both teams sporting a 52-24 win-loss record with six games to go in the regular season.

New Orleans Pelicans 101, Sacramento Kings 95

At Sacramento, the Pelicans also played excellent team ball on offence as five players scored in double-figures. Eric Gordon had 21 points to lead the team while superstar Anthony Davis had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. The Pelicans survived DeMarcus Cousins’ huge triple-double of 24 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists. New Orleans was fortunate on this one as well as they did not have to deal with defending Rudy Gay, who was out because of a concussion in a previous game.

Oklahoma City and New Orleans Remaining Games

The Pelicans have more games, 7-6 than the Thunder in the teams’ respective schedule. Six of seven games by New Orleans are against playoff-bound squads or teams that still have a shot at a postseason slot including games against the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Grizzlies, Phoenix, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Thunder have a relatively easier schedule; four tough ones against the Spurs, Rockets, Pacers, Trail Blazers and against lottery-bound squads Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au

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