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NBA standings based on remaining strength of schedule: Lakers in a great spot

By Jason Reed

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 02: A general view of a basketball during a NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls on February 02, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 02: A general view of a basketball during a NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls on February 02, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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The NBA has reached its unofficial halfway point (that is really two-thirds of the way through the season) — the all-star break. As far as the Los Angeles Lakers are concerned, the second half of the season is a chance for a new beginning as the team has a brand-new roster that fans are excited about.

The only problem is that the Lakers are pretty far down the NBA standings. Los Angeles is currently 13th in the Western Conference with a 27-32 record. The team is going to have to put together a solid final stretch to make the playoffs.

A lot of what will happen over the next month and a half will be dictated by how difficult each team’s remaining strength of schedule is. Thankfully, due to Tankathon, we know exactly how the Lakers stack up against the rest of the league in this regard.

NBA standings based on remaining strength of schedule:

The easiest strength of schedule will rank higher, as that is obviously an advantage (unless a team is tanking) in the second half. With that in mind, Lakers fans have to love where LA ends up.

Western Conference:

  1. Dallas Mavericks (.466 SOS)
  2. New Orleans Pelicans (.473 SOS)
  3. Oklahoma City Thunder (.482 SOS)
  4. Los Angeles Lakers (.483 SOS)
  5. Memphis Grizzlies (.485 SOS)
  6. Utah Jazz (.495 SOS)
  7. Denver Nuggets (.496 SOS)
  8. Golden State Warriors (.502 SOS)
  9. Houston Rockets (.502 SOS)
  10. Portland Trail Blazers (.503 SOS)
  11. San Antonio Spurs (.503 SOS)
  12. Minnesota Timberwolves (.505 SOS)
  13. Phoenix Suns (.517 SOS)
  14. Sacramento Kings (.520 SOS)
  15. Los Angeles Clippers (.523 SOS)

As far as tanking goes, the San Antonio Spurs drew the best card for the second half. The Spurs currently have the second-worst record in the West after losing 14 games in a row heading into the all-star break.

Houston is not far behind with a .502 SOS. Those are the only two dedicated tanking teams in the Western Conference.

Eastern Conference: 

  1. Detroit Pistons (.472 SOS)
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers (.481 SOS)
  3. Indiana Pacers (.488 SOS)
  4. Charlotte Hornets (.489 SOS)
  5. Chicago Bulls (.496 SOS)
  6. Washington Wizards (.497 SOS)
  7. Orlando Magic (.500 SOS)
  8. Milwaukee Bucks (.508 SOS)
  9. Boston Celtics (.509 SOS)
  10. Miami Heat (.512 SOS)
  11. New York Knicks (.512 SOS)
  12. Brooklyn Nets (.512 SOS)
  13. Toronto Raptors (.520 SOS)
  14. Atlanta Hawks (.523 SOS)
  15. Philadelphia 76ers (.530 SOS)

The Eastern Conference has a much tougher go of things in the second half as six of the 15 teams have an SOS that is .510 or higher compared to only three teams in the Western Conference.

As far as tanking goes, each bad team has a pretty easy schedule to end the season. Detroit and Charlotte are the big tankers in the East and have the second and ninth easiest schedules left in the entire NBA, respectively.

How the remaining strength of schedule impacts the Lakers:

The Lakers having the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the Western Conference is great as it might result in the team winning more games down the stretch. That being said, some other key teams ahead of them in the standings also have a somewhat easy go at things.

Dallas, New Orleans, Minnesota, Golden State, Oklahoma City, Utah and Portland are the seven teams that the Lakers can catch and surpass in the second half. Three of those teams have a remaining SOS above .500 while another three have an easier SOS than the Lakers.

One team to watch is the Los Angeles Clippers, who are currently the fourth seed in the West. The Clippers are five games ahead of the Lakers and have the toughest remaining schedule in the West (second toughest in the league). The Clippers are 10-20 against teams above .500, so they could absolutely slip below the Lakers as well.

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The Clippers have 13 games against teams above .500. If they maintain their normal pace, they will go around 4-9 in those games. If they go 5-3 in the other eight games they will finish with a 42-40 record.

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