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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans' once-raging postseason hopes are dwindling down like a dying fire. But there are still some glowing embers capable of flaring up again.

Despite the absence of Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting on a 2.5-game lead over the Pels, who have watched the Phoenix Suns also hop back into the playoff conversation.

Prior to its recent back-to-back wins, New Orleans had dropped four straight games. OKC is 5-3 in its last eight.

The Pelicans have ridden Anthony Davis all year, and the heroics of the 22-year-old are why the team has gotten this far. While his bid for NBA MVP will probably come up short, it’s now clearer than ever that The Brow is one the best players in all of basketball.

"It’s not Davis’ fault New Orleans missed the playoffs," critics will say if the Thunder hold on to their lead. "If only he had a better team…"

That perspective is simply misguided. What killed the Pelicans was injuries—just like last year.

In reality, especially when AD was on the sidelines, his teammates stepped up in a big way.