The March to St. Patrick's Day

[evildallas]

We've sort have been breaking down the season in stretches when appropriate. We just got off a road trip while Orlando had a home stand and only lost 1/2 game in the standings. The next key stretch is from now until 3/17. What's important about this stretch of games? The quality of the opponent is.

Atlanta has 12 games during this stretch and 4 of the opponents have winning records (Dallas, @Chicago, @Miami, @Toronto).
Orlando has 12 games during this stretch and 7 of the opponents have winning records (@Houston, @NO, Miami, Lakers, Chicago, Charlotte, San Antonio).
Boston has 13 games during this stretch and 4 of the opponents have winning records (Cleveland, Charlotte, Memphis, @Cleveland).

Orlando has the toughest schedule but most of those are at home. Boston has the easiest schedule, but 2 games with Cleveland during the stretch. Atlanta schedule during the stretch is relatively easy, but we have a tendency to make everything an adventure and 3 of the quality opponents are on the road. This time period is our best opportunity to get at least even with Orlando. If we don't close the gap during this stretch the last month of the season doesn't lay out favorably and I wouldn't like our odds of catching up at that point.

Do you think we can go 10-2 during this stretch?

[evildallas]

Since this post Atlanta and Orlando are both 3-1 and Boston is 1-2. Our next 7 have losing records, but 4 are on the road. Important to note that only 1 of the games is a back-to-back (on the road at Miami Saturday). Orlando also only has 1 back-to-back in the same stretch though (at home against Charlotte on the 14th).