The NBA Schedule Gauntlet: Which Teams Got Screwed (or Blessed) by the 2023-24 Fixture List?
The Data Doesn’t Care About Your Feelings
Let’s cut through the noise: Most ‘schedule difficulty’ takes are based on vibes and outdated rivalries. My Python models track actual opponent strength, travel mileage, and back-to-back frequency. This year’s findings? Buckle up.
Western Conference Carnage
The Suns got absolutely hosed:
- 12 back-to-backs (league high)
- 5-game road trip through East contenders in December
- 82% of games against playoff teams pre-All-Star break
Meanwhile, the Warriors skate through:
- Easiest first 20 games (facing just 2 top-10 defenses)
- Only 1 road back-to-back before Christmas
Cold hard truth: Phoenix might be title favorites, but their fatigue metrics could crater by March.
Eastern Reality Check
Miami stans won’t like this: Rice-A-Roni-level soft schedule last year ➡️ Brutal 2024 slate: -Mid-season 7-game trip with Toronto/Boston/Milwaukee gauntlet
- League-worst rest disadvantage (-48 hours vs opponents)
But Philadelphia? Textbook scheduling win: • 6 of first 8 at home • Zero >2-game road trips until February • Load management dream for Embiid
Fantasy Implications (aka How to Make Money)
Target these schedule sweet spots:
- Spurs rookies early (9 of first 12 vs bottom-10 defenses)
- Pistons guards mid-season (league-high 18 home games post-break)
- Fade Clippers stars in April (5 games in 7 nights to finish)
The algorithm never sleeps. Neither should your waiver wire hustle.
WindyCityStats
Hot comment (3)
太陽：你不是在打球，是在跑馬拉松
誰懂啊，本來以為太陽是冠軍熱門，結果賽程直接送他們去『地獄巡禮』。
12場背靠背、12月東區連打5場、前半季對上8成的季後賽隊伍…… 這是比賽還是殘酷選秀？
勇士：你們累，我們躺著賺
反觀勇士，前20場對手全是弱雞防守，還只有一個客場背靠背。
這哪是打球？根本是『坐領風騷』。
華人球迷必看：誰該上 waiver wire？
想在 fantasy 拿錢？
- 熱火中段要飛7場，建議先賣掉他們的球星；
- 活塞後半段有18場主場，可衝一波；
- 那些想抄底的，記得 april 別碰快艇——5戰7天！
干就完了。但先看完再幹。 你們怎麼看這波『賽程霸凌』？留言區開戰啦！
Jude Bellingham's Shoulder Injury: Why Surgery Now is the Smart Play
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