Remaining Schedule Strength

[Findog]

New Orleans: 15 Home games, 15 Road games, 18 vs teams over .500, 12 vs sub .500 teams, 8 Back to Backs

Phoenix: 14 Home, 14 Road, 19 +.500, 9 - .500, 6 B2B

LA Lakers: 16 Home, 12 Road, 14 +.500, 14 -.500, 5 B2B

San Antonio: 15 Home, 14 Road, 17 +.500, 12 -.500, 7 B2B

Utah: 15 Home, 13 Road, 14 +.500, 14 -.500, 7 B2B

Dallas: 15 Home, 13 Road, 15 +.500, 13 -.500, 5 B2B

Houston: 15 Home, 13 Road, 14 +.500, 14 -.500, 5 B2B

Golden State: 14 Home, 14 Road, 15 +.500, 13 -.500, 7 B2B

Denver: 13 Home, 16 Road, 16 +.500, 13 -.500, 7 B2B

Portland: 14 Home, 15 Road, 14 +.500, 15 -.500, 9 B2B

Looks like the Lakers have a good shot at getting the #1 seed with that easy schedule down the stretch. I expect Phoenix and New Orleans to drop a bit. Since the West playoffs is a game of musical chairs this year, I think Denver has it work cut out for them to even make it with their difficult schedule remaining. Can't wait to see how this all shakes out.

[nkdlunch]

Even at #1 seed, that #1 seed might face a Warriors or Rockets team. there is really no difference where you end up in the West.

actually ending up in the middle of the pack might be better. (see Mavericks 2007)

[Findog]

Even at #1 seed, that #1 seed might face a Warriors or Rockets team. there is really no difference where you end up in the West.

actually ending up in the middle of the pack might be better. (see Mavericks 2007)

That's a good point. The seedings don't really matter that much because there isn't that much of a difference in quality between #8 and #1. It's probably more a matter of drawing teams you match up well against than teams you don't. Just getting out of the West is a title in and of itself this year. No matter who I am, I'd prefer a top four seed, just to be guaranteed HCA for at least one round.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

damn, SA has a tough stretch to finish off the season

[Findog]

Phoenix has the worst remaining schedule

[batboy]

damn, SA has a tough stretch to finish off the season

Not as bad as NO.

[Findog]

I think the West this year is a great argument for doing away with the conferences and doing some sort of balanced schedule where you play every team 3 times, or whatever 29 teams over 82 games requires.

[RonMexico]

New Orleans: 15 Home games, 15 Road games, 18 vs teams over .500, 12 vs sub .500 teams, 8 Back to Backs

Phoenix: 14 Home, 14 Road, 19 +.500, 9 - .500, 6 B2B

LA Lakers: 16 Home, 12 Road, 14 +.500, 14 -.500, 5 B2B

San Antonio: 15 Home, 14 Road, 17 +.500, 12 -.500, 7 B2B

Utah: 15 Home, 13 Road, 14 +.500, 14 -.500, 7 B2B

Dallas: 15 Home, 13 Road, 15 +.500, 13 -.500, 5 B2B

Houston: 15 Home, 13 Road, 14 +.500, 14 -.500, 5 B2B

Golden State: 14 Home, 14 Road, 15 +.500, 13 -.500, 7 B2B

Denver: 13 Home, 16 Road, 16 +.500, 13 -.500, 7 B2B

Portland: 14 Home, 15 Road, 14 +.500, 15 -.500, 9 B2B

Looks like the Lakers have a good shot at getting the #1 seed with that easy schedule down the stretch. I expect Phoenix and New Orleans to drop a bit. Since the West playoffs is a game of musical chairs this year, I think Denver has it work cut out for them to even make it with their difficult schedule remaining. Can't wait to see how this all shakes out.

Yeah, I hope the Suns can go 18-10 over those final 28. A 55-win season should guarantee decent seed. No doubt winning on the road is key this posteason no matter where you land.

[Findog]

oh, and playoff rosters are finalized on 4/17. the deadline for players to be waived so they are eligible to join a new team and get added to the playoff roster is 3/1. We'll know what the Mavs intend to do about backup center then.

[Extra Stout]

I think the West this year is a great argument for doing away with the conferences and doing some sort of balanced schedule where you play every team 3 times, or whatever 29 teams over 82 games requires.
If a 50-win lottery team in the West amidst four sub-40-win playoff teams in the East won't do it, nothing will.

[Fabbs]

Does anyone have the b2b stats on the entire season?

[boutons_]

I'm not worried about schedule toughness, but crappy defense and 2-man offense @TWolves post-ASB.

I sure hope Thomas improves the paint defense, and soon.

[SpursDynasty]

The Lakers practically speaking, play 2 extra home games than any other NBA team. I think they've kind of had "beginner's luck" this year....they'll be out in the 2nd round.

[Medvedenko]

The Lakers practically speaking, play 2 extra home games than any other NBA team. I think they've kind of had "beginner's luck" this year....they'll be out in the 2nd round.

Did you actually read the original post.....How is beginner luck at the beginning when they played less home game and had a more strenous schedule at the beginning of the season.

[batboy]

If a 50-win lottery team in the West amidst four sub-40-win playoff teams in the East won't do it, nothing will.

The addition of European franchises might tip it over though, at least in terms of continental teams.

Take the top X north american teams and mix in a few of the top euro teams with room for possible byes. Would be good for the west assuming the east doesn't get it's shit together by then. Probably would have to run the euros in a separate bracket for the first round though. Maybe let 2 winners play the 2 top NA seeds after a first-round by for them.

Yeah I like that, top 14 or 18 NA teams are in, top two seeds get a first round bye and then either they or the winners of the lowest 2 brackets play the winners of the 4 team euro round.

[dallaskd]

I think Jeff already made a thread exactly like this

[Allanon]

I would think the 2 extra home games is due to the Lakers playing on the road @ Clippers

Hornets and Suns have a tough schedule. Suns right now played Lakers and have Boston, Detroit, memphis, Hornets. They might be an 8th seed after this stretch.

Since teams 1-9 in the WC are so awesome this year, the Home Court will be the biggest prize of the season.

The #1 seed and head-to-head wins are what every team in the WConf should be looking for. #1 in the West might be good enough to get HCA throughout the Playoffs since Celtics and Pistons have been slipping lately.