Portland was looking like a solid choice to get that final Western Conference playoff area with the return of Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins from injury, however they were dealt a rough blow when Trevor Ariza elected not to take part in the Orlando reboot. That already made them incredibly shallow on the wing in a wing-heavy league, and this schedule certainly does not help their cause. All eight of the Blazers games protest teams currently in the playoffs, with their hardest opponents (Celtics, Rockets, Nuggets, Clippers, 76ers) coming relatively early, when those groups are still contending for postseason position and have great factor to play their stars. Portland had the 16th-most hard remaining schedule when the season was suspended, and it now has the fifth-hardest in Orlando, indicating Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and the Blazers have an extremely tough road to the postseason.
Its been over 3 months because fans have actually looked at the NBA schedule for any significant factor, but that all changed on Friday when the league revealed the schedule for the resumption of the 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida beginning on July 30. The slate of games for all 22 groups was revealed, with some teams coming up a little more lucky than others.
The NBA attempted its best to follow the remaining schedule before the shutdown, but, clearly, with 8 teams staying at home, modifications needed to be made. With playoff spots and placing still to be determined, the schedule will have a lot to do with how things shake out. Here is a look at some winners and losers based upon their opponents in the 8 seeding video games in Orlando.
Winner: New Orleans Pelicans
Its just reasonable since the Pelicans had the most favorable schedule remaining before the hiatus, but New Orleans now has every opportunity to make their move for the No. 8 seed in Orlando. Just three of their 8 games protest current playoff teams, among those coming against the Grizzlies, who theyre going after for the last playoff spot out West. Another one of those teams is allure, who will be playing their first video game since losing their second-leading scorer, Bojan Bogdanovic, to wrist surgery. New Orleans is the only group that has a combined opponent win portion below.500, and each of their last six opponents currently owns losing records.
Also, the 2nd half of the Pelicans schedule pits them versus 4 teams– the Wizards, Spurs, Kings and Magic– who might potentially have absolutely nothing to play for at that point in the seeding video games. Many have actually chosen Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans to chase after down Memphis and make the playoffs, and this schedule makes that a real possibility.
Loser: Portland Trail Blazers
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
The NBA attempted its best to adhere to the remaining schedule prior to the shutdown, however, certainly, with 8 teams staying home, modifications required to be made. Miami had the easiest staying schedule in the league prior to the shutdown, according to the APs Tim Reynolds, but they now face the fourth-toughest schedule in Orlando based on records versus just those 22 teams. The Lakers schedule is hard, but that does not truly matter– theres practically no method they offer up a 5.5-game lead for the Western Conferences top seed in simply eight video games. With all the recent doubts about the NBA reboot between gamers deciding out, group workers evaluating positive for COVID-19 and the rising coronavirus numbers in Florida, the schedule release was a breath of fresh air for fans, who can finally start thinking about paths and matches to the playoffs for their preferred teams. Something about seeing those group logo designs, dates and networks on the schedule makes whatever appear more last, even if the reality is that the resumption of the NBA season is still teetering perilously on a number of factors.
Winner: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers schedule is tough, but that doesnt truly matter– theres essentially no method they provide up a 5.5-game lead for the Western Conferences leading seed in simply 8 games. The Lakers win the schedule release where they always win: National TV looks.
Losers: Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns
Not only do the Wizards and Suns have long shot of making the postseason, however their only nationally televised games are on NBATV, which a lot of fans do not even get. They have absolutely no games on ESPN, TNT or ABC, which cant be too enticing for Wizards and Suns gamers still deciding whether or not to contend at Walt Disney World.
Winner: NBA fans
With all the current doubts about the NBA reboot in between gamers pulling out, team workers evaluating positive for COVID-19 and the increasing coronavirus numbers in Florida, the schedule release was a breath of fresh air for fans, who can lastly begin thinking about matches and paths to the playoffs for their preferred groups. Something about seeing those group logo designs, dates and networks on the schedule makes whatever appear more final, even if the reality is that the resumption of the NBA season is still teetering perilously on a variety of elements. For now, at least, we can more reasonably begin thinking about something we havent seen in over three months– real NBA basketball.
Aug. 1 vs. Pacers
Aug. 3 vs. Heat
It will be tough for Toronto to relinquish its significant three-game lead over the Celtics for the No. 2 area in the Eastern Conference, however this is one onslaught of a schedule. 6 of the eight video games protest teams with 39 or more wins, consisting of the NBA-leading Bucks and Lakers. Potentially falling to No. 3 in the East holds particular significance, given that the protecting champs would then have to deal with the 76ers, Pacers or Heat in the preliminary instead of the Nets, Magic or Wizards.
Winner: Boston Celtics
Aug. 1 vs. Lakers
Aug. 5 vs. Magic
Aug. 7 vs. Celtics
Aug. 9 vs. Grizzlies
Aug. 10 vs. Bucks
Aug. 12 vs. Raptors
Aug. 14 vs. Pacers
As discussed above, the Celtics have a decent chance to jump from No. 3 to the No. 2 seed in the East offered their favorable schedule compared to the Raptors slog. Boston has the fifth simplest slate of the 22 Orlando groups, and theyll be totally healthy– at least at the start– a luxury they havent had practically all season.
Loser: Miami Heat
After an up-and-down season, the 76ers have a possibility to construct up some major momentum heading into the playoffs with this schedule. They lead off with the Pacers who might or may not have Victor Oladipo, then they get a run of five straight groups under.500. This suggests that Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Sixers might begin their Orlando season at 6-0 and possibly go up an area or more in the Eastern Conference standings.
Loser: Toronto Raptors
Aug. 12 vs. 76ers
Aug. 14 vs. Nuggets
Aug. 14 vs. Rockets
The league attempted to adhere as carefully to the remainder of the pre-hiatus NBA schedule as possible, but the Heat ended up on the incorrect end of the “match balancing” stick. Miami had the most convenient staying schedule in the league prior to the shutdown, according to the APs Tim Reynolds, but they now face the fourth-toughest schedule in Orlando based on records versus just those 22 groups. The Celtics, Heat, Pacers and 76ers remain in a battle for positioning for the third through sixth spots in the Eastern Conference, so Miami cant enjoy about its rough draw in the bubble.
Aug. 1 vs. Nuggets
Aug. 3 vs. Raptors
Aug. 4 vs. Celtics
Aug. 6 vs. Bucks
Aug. 8 vs. Suns
Aug. 10 vs. Pacers
Aug. 12 vs. Thunder
July 31 vs. Bucks
Aug. 2 vs. Blazers
Aug. 4 vs. Heat
Aug. 5 vs. Nets
Aug. 7 vs. Raptors
Aug. 9 vs. Magic
Aug. 11 vs. Grizzlies
Aug. 13 vs. Wizards
Aug. 3 vs. Spurs
Aug. 5 vs. Wizards
Aug. 7 vs. Magic
Aug. 9 vs. Trail Blazers
Aug. 11 vs. Suns
