How do I want to start this preview off? Bear with me as I try a few different things here…

The reeling New Orleans Pelicans take on the Association-best Golden State Warriors tonight in California?

Losers of 7 of their last 8 games, the Pelicans take on the 30-0 at home, Warriors tonight in Oracle Arena?

Crap team plays really good team?

Team missing Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon, Alexis Ajinca, Quincy Pondexter, Bryce Dejean-Jones, and maybe Norris Cole plays a really good team only missing Festus Ezeli and maybe Andre Iguodala.

Okay, okay, enough of being depressing, because, honestly, this is maybe the best spot the Pelicans could be in. Let me explain.

Obviously, the playoff dream is dead and losing games isn’t a horrible thing for the Pelicans to be doing with their eye on the draft. And though some want them to outright tank, getting Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday quality minutes needs to be a huge focus. That is the core of the team going forward. Those two. One thing that has been lamented over the past two seasons is that they have yet to develop that killer chemistry that Chris Paul and David West had. Or Paul and Blake Griffin. Or Steve Nash and Amare’ Stoudemire. Losing games while letting that develop is the ideal scenario.

And that should happen tonight. The Warriors are chasing history, being one game ahead of the pace set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls for the single-season wins record, they are at home, they are better than the Pelicans. It’s as simple as that.

We’ll be at Tracey’s for the watch party tonight, and what most of us are looking for is simply a few quality moments in the 48 minute game that are effective. It doesn’t just take winning games to inspire hope. Give me some good pick and rolls with Holiday and Davis. Give me some good sets that create a wide open three for Ryan Anderson.