Top 9 Eastern Conference Team Schedules
Cavaliers (44-18, home: 27-6, away: 17-12) (8 home games, 12 away games)
Game 63. Wed, Mar 9: Kings (@Sacramento)
Game 64. Thu, Mar 10: Lakers (@Los Angeles)
Game 65. Sun, Mar 13: Clippers (@Los Angeles)
Game 66. Mon, Mar 14: Jazz (@Utah)
Game 67. Wed, Mar 16: Mavs (@Cleveland)
Game 68. Fri, Mar 18: Magic (@Orlando)
Game 69. Sat, Mar 19: Heat (@Miami)
Game 70. Mon, Mar 21: Nuggets (@Cleveland)
Game 71. Wed, Mar 23: Bucks (@Cleveland)
Game 72. Thu, Mar 24: Nets (@New York)
Game 73. Sat, Mar 26: Knickerbockers (@New York)
Game 74. Tue, Mar 29: Rockets (@Cleveland)
Game 75. Thu, Mar 31: Nets (@Cleveland)
Game 76. Fri, Apr 1: Hawks (@Atlanta)
Game 77. Sun, Apr 3: Hornets (@Cleveland)
Game 78. Tue, Apr 5: Bucks (@Milwaukee)
Game 79. Wed, Apr 6: Pacers (@Indianapolis)
Game 80. Sat, Apr 9: Bulls (@Chicago)
Game 81. Mon, Apr 11: Hawks (@Cleveland)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Pistons (@Cleveland)
The only team arguably at the level of the Cavaliers are the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, and perhaps Raptors and Clippers. Cleveland is done with all these rivals in the regular season, except one game with the Clippers in LA. Only 9 of their remaining opponents have plus 0.500 season performances. Away games in Atlanta & Miami (both on 2nd nights of a back to back) may also cause difficulties, but Cleveland is coasting into a deserved first space spot.
Raptors (41-20, home: 23-7, away: 18-13) (11 home games, 10 road games)
Game 62. Tues, March 8: Nets (@Toronto)
Game 63. Thurs, March 10: Hawks (@Toronto)
Game 64. Sat, March 12: Heat (@Toronto)
Game 65. Mon, Mar 14: Bulls (@Toronto)
Game 66. Tues, Mar 15: Bucks (@Milwaukee)
Game 67. Thu, Mar 17: Pacers (@Indianapolis)
Game 68. Fri, Mar 18: Celtics (@Toronto)
Game 69. Sun, Mar 20: Magic (@Toronto)
Game 70. Wed, Mar 23: Celtics (@Boston)
Game 71. Fri, Mar 25: Rockets (@Houston)
Game 72. Sat, Mar 26: Pelicans (@New Orleans)
Game 73. Mon, Mar 28: Thunder (@Toronto)
Game 74. Wed, Mar 30: Hawks (@Atlanta)
Game 75. Fri, Apr 1: Grizzlies (@Memphis)
Game 76. Sat, Apr 2: Spurs (@San Antonio)
Game 77. Tue, Apr 5: Hornets (@Toronto)
Game 78. Thu, Apr 7: Hawks (@Atlanta)
Game 79. Fri, Apr 8: Pacers (@Toronto)
Game 80. Sun, Apr 10: Knickerbockers (@New York)
Game 81. Tue, Apr 12: 76ers (@Toronto)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Nets (@New York)
Raptors are in great shape, but their schedule is no cake walk. They have 10 games against teams attempting to gain a playoff position in the East, but they also play the Rockets, Grizzlies, Spurs, and Thunder. 14 of their remaining games have + 0.500 opponents. This leads me to believe that while Toronto has almost a lock on 2nd, they cannot challenge Cleveland for first place.
Celtics (38-26, home: 22-10, away: 16-16). (9 home games, 9 road games)
Game 65. Wed, Mar 9: Grizzlies (@Boston)
Game 66. Fri, Mar 11: Rockets (@Boston)
Game 67. Tue, Mar 15: Pacers (@Indianapolis)
Game 68. Wed, Mar 16: Thunder (@Boston)
Game 69. Fri, Mar 18: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 70. Sun, Mar 20: 76ers (@Philadlelphia)
Game 71. Mon, Mar 21: Magic (@Boston)
Game 72. Wed, Mar 23: Raptors (@Boston)
Game 73. Sat, Mar 26: Suns (@Phoenix)
Game 74. Mon, Mar 28: Clippers (@Los Angeles)
Game 75. Thu, Mar 31: Trailblazers (@Portland)
Game 76. Fri, Apr 1: Warriors (@Oakland)
Game 77. Sun, Apr 3: Lakers (@Los Angeles)
Game 78. Wed, Apr 6: Pelicans (@Boston)
Game 79. Fri, Apr 8: Bucks (@Boston)
Game 80. Sat, Apr 9: Hawks (@Atlanta)
Game 81. Mon, Apr 11: Hornets (@Boston)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Heat (@Boston)
Boston’s merciless pace at home will be tested by the Grizzlies, Rockets, Thunder, Raptors, Hornets, and Heat among others. They also have a 4 game road trip to the west coast meeting the Clippers, Warriors, and a Trailblazers team who would love to give the Celtics some payback. 12 of their games are against +0.500 opponents. Celtics are at a good pace, but they will be tested.
Heat (37-26, home: 21-12, away: 16-14) (8 home games, 11 road games)
Game 64. Wed, March 9: Bucks (@Milwaukee)
Game 65. Fri, March 11: Bulls (@Chicago)
Game 66. Sat, March 12: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 67. Mon, Mar 14: Nuggets (@Miami)
Game 68. Thu, Mar 17: Hornets (@Miami)
Game 69. Sat, Mar 19: Cavaliers (@Miami)
Game 70. Tue, Mar 22: Pelicans (@New Orleans)
Game 71. Wed, Mar 23: Spurs (@San Antonio)
Game 72. Fri, Mar 25: Magic (@Miami)
Game 73. Mon, Mar 28: Nets (@Miami)
Game 74. Wed, Mar 30: Lakers (@Los Angeles)
Game 75. Fri, Apr 1: Kings (@Sacramento)
Game 76. Sat, Apr 2: Trailblazers (@Portland)
Game 77. Tue, Apr 5: Pistons (@Miami)
Game 78. Thu, Apr 7: Bulls (@Miami)
Game 79. Fri, Apr 8: Magic (@Orlando)
Game 80. Sun, Apr 10: Magic (@Miami)
Game 81. Tue, Apr 12: Pistons (@Detroit)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Celtics (@Boston)
Miami’s longest remaining road trip is 3 games played in 4 nights on the west coast. The 2-game trip visiting New Orleans and San Antonio should also be tough. The final two games (both away) versus Pistons & Celtics will add some drama. They play 10 games against +0.500 opponents. Only 4 home games are against +0.500 opponents (Hornets, Cavs, Bulls, & Pistons). Still Miami plays their rival the Magic 3 times as well as the Bulls & Pistons twice. They have games against San Antonio, Cleveland, and Toronto still. Two of those are away games. It’s no easy schedule.
Hawks: (35-28, home: 19-12, away: 16-16) (10 home games, 9 road games)
Game 64. Tue, Mar 8: Jazz (@Utah)
Game 65. Thu, Mar 10: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 66. Sat, Mar 12: Grizzlies (@Atlanta)
Game 67. Sun, Mar 13: Pacers (@Atlanta)
Game 68. Wed, Mar 16: Pistons (@Detroit)
Game 69. Thu, Mar 17: Nuggets (@Atlanta)
Game 70. Sat, Mar 19: Rockets (@Atlanta)
Game 71. Mon, Mar 21: Wizards (@Atlanta)
Game 72. Wed, Mar 23: Wizards (@Washington)
Game 73. Fri, Mar 25: Bucks (@Atlanta)
Game 74. Sat, Mar 26: Pistons (@Detroit)
Game 75. Mon, Mar 28: Bulls (@Chicago)
Game 76. Wed, Mar 30: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 77. Fri, Apr 1: Cavaliers (@Atlanta)
Game 78. Tue, Apr 5: Suns (@Atlanta)
Game 79. Thu, Apr 7: Raptors (@Atlanta)
Game 80. Sat, Apr 9: Celtics (@Atlanta)
Game 81. Mon, Apr 11: Cavaliers (@Cleveland)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Wizards (@Washington)
The Hawks were great against the Clippers and have turned the road trip into a treasure hunt. They will attempt to extend their streak in Utah & Toronto before going on a long stretch of mostly haome games. They do have two tough games each with the Cavaliers and Raptors, so it won’t be easy, but all those home games will help. 11 of their games are against +0.500 rivals.
Hornets (34-28, home: 22-9, away: 12-19) (10 home games, 10 road games)
Game 63. Wed, Mar 9: Pelicans (@Charlotte)
Game 64. Fri, Mar 11: Pistons (@Charlotte)
Game 65. Sat, Mar 12: Rockets (@Charlotte)
Game 66. Mon, Mar 14: Mavs (@Charlotte)
Game 67. Wed, Mar 16: Magic (@Charlotte)
Game 68. Thu, Mar 17: Heat (@Miami)
Game 69. Sat, Mar 19: Nuggets (@Charlotte)
Game 70. Mon, Mar 21: Spurs (@San Antonio)
Game 71. Tue, Mar 22: Nets (@New York)
Game 72. Fri, Mar 25: Pistons (@Detroit)
Game 73. Sat, Mar 26: Bucks (@Milwaukee)
Game 74. Tue, Mar 29: 76ers (@Philadelphia)
Game 75. Fri, Apr 1: 76ers (@Charlotte)
Game 76. Sun, Apr 3: Cavaliers (@Cleveland)
Game 77. Tue, Apr 5: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 78. Wed, Apr 6: Knickerbockers (@New York)
Game 79. Fri, Apr 8: Nets (@Charlote)
Game 80. Sun, Apr 10: Wizards (@Washington)
Game 81. Mon, Apr 11: Celtics (@Boston)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Magic (@Charlotte)
Hornets still benefit from that long home stand, after they play away games at Miami, San Antonio, Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto, so they need every point they can get. I think short term they could challenge for 4th so we need to be wary.
Pacers (34-30, 19-11 home, 15-19 away) (11 home games, 7 away games)
Game 65. Sat, Mar 12: Mavs (@Dallas)
Game 66. Sun, Mar 13: Hawks (@Atlanta)
Game 67. Tue, Mar 15: Celtics (@Indianapolis)
Game 68. Thu, Mar 17: Raptors (@Indianapolis)
Game 69. Sat, Mar 19: Thunder (@Indianapolis)
Game 70. Mon, Mar 21: 76ers (@Indianapolis)
Game 71. Thu, Mar 24: Pelicans (@Indianapolis)
Game 72. Sat, Mar 26: Nets (@New York)
Game 73. Sun, Mar 27: Rockets (@indianapolis)
Game 74. Tue, Mar 29: Bulls (@Indianapolis)
Game 75. Thu, Mar 31: Magic (@Indianapolis)
Game 76. Sat, Apr 2: 76ers (@Philadelphia)
Game 77. Sun, Apr 3: Knickerbockers (@New York)
Game 78. Wed, Apr 6: Cavaliers (@Indianapolis)
Game 79. Fri, Apr 8: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 80. Sun, Apr 10: Nets (@Indianapolis)
Game 81. Tue, Apr 12: Knickerbockers (@Indianapolis)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Bucks (@Milwaukee)
An upcoming home stand of five in a row is later followed by a 4 in the row home series. The only tough away game is the Raptors. They should coast into qualification.
Pistons (32-21, 19-11 home, 13-20 away) (11 home games, 8 away games)
Game 64. Wed, Mar 9: Mavericks (@Dallas)
Game 65. Fri, Mar 11: Hornets (@Charlotte)
Game 66. Sat, Mar 12: 76ers (@Philadelphia)
Game 67. Mon, Mar 14: Wizards (@Washington)
Game 68. Wed, Mar 16: Hawks (@Detroit)
Game 69. Fri, Mar 18: Kings (@Detroit)
Game 70. Sat, Mar 19: Nets (@Detroit)
Game 71. Mon, Mar 21: Bucks (@Detroit)
Game 72. Wed, Mar 23: Magic (@Detroit)
Game 73. Fri, Mar 25: Hornets (@Detroit)
Game 74. Sat, Mar 26: Hawks (@Detroit)
Game 75. Tue, Mar 29: Thunder (@Detroit)
Game 76. Fri, Apr 1: Mavericks (@Detroit)
Game 77. Sat, Apr 2: Bulls (@Chicago)
Game 78. Tue, Apr 5: Heat (@Miami)
Game 79. Wed, Apr 6: Magic (@Orlando)
Game 80. Fri, Apr 8: Wizards (@Detroit)
Game 81. Tue, Apr 12: Heat (@Detroit)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Cavaliers (@Cleveland)
Detroit has a 9 game home series coming up soon. Aside from games at Chicago, Miami, and Cleveland their schedule looks pretty easy.
Bulls (32-20, 21-11 home, 11-19 away) (9 home games, 11 away games)
Game 63. Thu, Mar 10: Spurs (@San Antonio)
Game 64. Fri, Mar 11: Heat (@Chicago)
Game 65. Mon, Mar 14: Raptors (@Toronto)
Game 66. Wed, Mar 16: Wizards (@Washington)
Game 67. Thu, Mar 17: Nets (@Chicago)
Game 68. Sat, Mar 19: Jazz (@Chicago)
Game 69. Mon, Mar 21: Kings (@Chicago)
Game 70. Wed, Mar 23: Knickerbockers (@Chicago)
Game 71. Thu, Mar 24: Knickerbockers (@New York)
Game 72. Sat, Mar 26: Magic (@Orlando)
Game 73. Mon, Mar 28: Hawks (@Chicago)
Game 74. Tue, Mar 29: Pacers (@Indiana)
Game 75. Thu, Mar 31: Rockets (@Houston)
Game 76. Sat, Apr 2: Pistons (@Chicago)
Game 77. Sun, Apr 3: Bucks (@Milwaukee)
Game 78. Tue, Apr 5: Grizzlies (@Memphis)
Game 79. Thu, Apr 7: Heat (@Miami)
Game 80. Sat, Apr 9: Cavaliers (@Chicago)
Game 81. Mon, Apr 11: Pelicans (@New Orleans)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: 76ers (@Chicago)
Bulls will be in the race for the long haul unless they give up and go for their pick. Their schedule looks pretty easy, including a back to back with New York.
Wizards (30-32, 16-17 home, 14-15 away) (8 home, 12 away)
Game 63. Tue, Mar 8: Trailblazers (@Portland) (+5.5)
Game 64. Fri, Mar 11: Jazz (@Utah) (+5)
Game 65. Sat, Mar 12: Nuggets (@Denver)
Game 66. Mon, Mar 14: Pistons (@Washington)
Game 67. Wed, Mar 16: Bulls (@Washington)
Game 68. Thu, Mar 17: 76ers (@Philadelphia)
Game 69. Sat, Mar 19: Knickerbockers (@Washington)
Game 70. Mon, Mar 21: Hawks (@Atlanta)
Game 71. Wed, Mar 23: Hawks (@Washington)
Game 72. Fri, Mar 25: Wolves (@Washington)
Game 73. Sun, Mar 27: Lakers (@Los Angeles)
Game 74. Tue, Mar 29: Warriors (@Oakland)
Game 75. Wed, Mar 30: Kings (@Sacramento)
Game 76. Fri, Apr 1: Suns (@Phoenix)
Game 77. Sun, Apr 3: Clippers (@Los Angeles)
Game 78. Wed, Apr 6: Nets (@Washington)
Game 79. Fri, Apr 8: Pistons (@Detroit)
Game 80. Sun, Apr 10: Hornets (@Washington)
Game 81. Mon, Apr 11: Nets (@New York)
Game 82. Wed, Apr 13: Hawks (@Washington)
Twelve away games makes the Wizards’ schedule pretty challenging. I don’t really see them coming through but they might.
————
Current Lines:
3/8
Bkn @ Tor (-14)
Atl @ Utah (-2.5)
Wsh @ Por (-5.5)
3/9
Mem @ Bos (-5.5)
NO @ CHA (-7)
MIA (-0.5) @ MIL
Det @ Dal (-2.5)
Cle (-4.5) @ SAC
3/10
ATL @ TOR (-5.5)
CHI @ SA (-14)
CLE (-8.5) @ LAL
3/11
DET @ CHA (-5)
HOU @ BOS (-6)
MIA (-1) @ CHI
WSH @ UTA (-5)
3/12
IND @ DAL (-2.5)
DET (-7) @ PHI
HOU @ CHA (-4.5)
MIA @ TOR (-7)
MEM @ ATL (-5.5)
WSH @ DEN (-3.5)
3/13
CLE vs LAC (-2.5)
IND @ ATL (-5)
3/14
DAL @ CHA (-6)
CHI @ TOR (-8)
DEN @ MIA (-8.5)
DET @ WSH (-2.5)
CLE (-1.5) @ UTA
3/15
BOS @ IND (-0.5)
TOR (-1) @ MIL
3/16
CHI @ WSH (-4)
DAL @ CLE (-10)
OKC @ BOS (PK)
ORL @ CHA (-10.5)
ATL @ DET (-2)
3/17
TOR @ IND (-0.5)
WSH (-5) @ PHI
CHA @ MIA (-5)
BKN @ CHI (-8)
DEN @ ATL (-7)
3/18
CLE (-6) @ ORL
BOS @ TOR (-1.5)
SAC @ DET (-6)
3/19
DEN @ CHA (-8.5)
BKN @ DET (-9)
NY @ WSH (-8)
OKC @ IND (-0.5)
CLE @ MIA (-0.5)
HOU @ ATLN (-6)
UTA @ CHI (-3)
----
Cavaliers
3/9 CLE (-4.5) @ SAC
3/10 CLE (-8.5) @ LAL
3/13 CLE vs LAC (-2.5)
3/14 CLE (-1.5) @ UTA
3/16 DAL @ CLE (-10)
3/18 CLE (-6) @ ORL
3/19 CLE @ MIA (-0.5)
Raptors
3/8 BKN @ TOR (-14)
3/10 ATL @ TOR (-5.5)
3/12 MIA @ TOR (-7)
3/14 CHI @ TOR (-8)
3/15 TOR (-1) @ MIL
3/17 TOR @ IND (-0.5)
3/18 BOS @ TOR (-1.5)
Celtics
3/9 MEM @ BOS (-5.5)
3/11 HOU @ BOS (-6)
3/15 BOS @ IND (-0.5)
3/16 OKC @ BOS (PK)
3/18 BOS @ TOR (-1.5)
Heat
3/9 MIA (-0.5) @ MIL
3/11 MIA (-1) @ CHI
3/12 MIA @ TOR (-7)
3/14 DEN @ MIA (-8.5)
3/17 CHA @ MIA (-5)
3/19 CLE @ MIA (-0.5)
Hawks
3/8 ATL @ UTA (-2.5)
3/10 ATL @ TOR (-5.5)
3/12 MEM @ ATL (-5.5)
3/13 IND @ ATL (-5)
3/16 ATL @ DET (-2)
3/17 DEN @ ATL (-7)
3/19 HOU @ ATL (-6)
Hornets
3/9 NO @ CHA (-7)
3/11 DET @ CHA (-5)
3/12 HOU @ CHA (-4.5)
3/14 DAL @ CHA (-6)
3/16 ORL @ CHA (-10.5)
3/17 CHA @ MIA (-5)
3/19 DEN @ CHA (-8.5)
Bulls
3/10 CHI @ SA (-14)
3/11 MIA (-1) @ CHI
3/14 CHI @ TOR (-8)
3/16 CHI @ WSH (-4)
3/17 BKN @ CHI (-8)
3/19 UTA @ CHI (-3)
Pistons
3/9 DET @ DAL (-2.5)
3/11 DET @ CHA (-5)
3/12 DET (-7) @ PHI
3/14 DET @ WSH (-2.5)
3/16 ATL @ DET (-2)
3/19 BKN @ DET (-9)
Wizards
3/8 WSH @ POR (-5.5)
3/11 WSH @ UTA (-5)
3/12 WSH @ DEN (-3.5)
3/14 DET @ WSH (-2.5)
3/16 CHI @ WSH (-4)
3/17 WSH (-5) @ PHI
3/19 NY @ WSH (-8)
-----
So how are we against the Bucks? Well, to put it succinctly but without much tact, we own them. We are 61-39 in the regular season, 4-0 in the playoffs. For a young team like ours, that’s incredible. Fans who are still recoiling from their 5 game streak against us that we extinguished last month should know that this is one of two 5 game streaks. It’s much more common for the Heat to be pounding them, such as we did in a 17 game stretch from 1993 through 1997.
We have virtually identical records at home & away:
31-20 in Milwaukee (regular season)
30-19 in Miami. (regular season)
However, we have lost 3 straight at home, so that inequity remains to be resolved next year. The most points we’ve scored against them was Jan 15, 1992 when we smoked them for 134. They had Moses Malone and Dale Ellis. We had Glen Rice, Bimbo Coles, Grant Long, Rony Seikaly, & Willie Burton. That 17 game stretch saw us pounding them with Ray Allen on court.
I watched the Bucks @ Bulls game last night. The Bucks are without Michael Carter-Williams, John Henson, Steve Novak, and Greivis Vasquez. Their young PG Tyler Ennis (acquired from Phoenix) has been playing less than 10 minutes in games in which he has appeared. So who plays PG? Jerryd Bayless. In fact, though he does not start he has played 160 minutes in their last 5 games. A streaky 3 point shooter, he was 2 for 12 between two 5 for 8 games (one against Houston and one against Chicago). That’s still 12 for 28: 43%. In all attempts he was 20 for 47, so 8 for 19 in 2 point attempts. Most of these are also jump shots. He hits his foul shots at an excellent pace: 15 for 18 over last five games. Bayless is not a great defender, however, which is likely why he doesn’t start.
Antetokounmpo is their best defender and is listed as a forward, but like Justise Winslow, typically guards the opponent’s best ball-handling player. Dynamite is provided by Khris Middleton (who also finishes well at the rim) and Jabari Parker (who has added a 3 point shot). Mayo is still playing poorly, if not as bad as the beginning of the year, but Parker and Giannis are very good. MIles Plumlee is solid too.
What the team is missing is that suffocating defense we saw before. The first game we lost to Milwaukee what was most notable to me is how they stole the ball in the passing lanes. Their team now doesn’t guard so vigorously, and they leave shooter open. Chicago (outside of Gasol & Rose, just abysmal) won the game, but it should have been a blow out. Greg Monroe is arguably the worst player getting major minutes on the Bucks, and though he scores, he opens an avenue around the hoop. Whiteside and Stoudemire should dominate him with ease.
So, how can we lose the game? Well, Giannis & Parker are really powerful at driving, and both Middleton and Bayless can shoot. If Bayless gets hot the game could get even lopsided against us. We need to stop him before he gets the ball by making him hard to reach. I think saving Justise for Middleton is a good idea, but Richardson marking Bayless could neutralize him. Bayless plays poor defense himself so we can keep him dizzy by attacking him. We need to make the paint unfriendly space but nothing will stop Giannis from getting inside, so it would be nice if he gets in foul trouble. That doesn't happen often though.
On the offense, we need to keep driving at them, especially when Monroe is on court. If we play the dominating game we've been playing in the paint, and hit a decent amount of 3s from the corners (where the Bucks were often left open after a few passes), the Bucks will let us score a lot.
In conclusion, I think we should win this game. Let's get it done.
