NBA Strength of Schedule Rankings for 2024-25 Season

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The final two months of the 2024-25 NBA season are set to be crucial for teams looking to secure playoff positioning, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers facing particularly tough schedules. As the season reaches its 72% completion mark, the top seeds in each conference are sitting comfortably, but there is still much to be determined over the final 44 days. The Lakers, in particular, will have one of the busiest schedules, with back-to-back games and a high number of road games, making their playoff push even more challenging.

According to the latest strength of schedule rankings, the Phoenix Suns have the toughest remaining schedule, with a cumulative opponent winning percentage of .585, followed closely by the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets. The Blazers, meanwhile, have the fourth-toughest schedule, with a cumulative opponent winning percentage of .542, tied with the Lakers. The Western Conference is home to 10 of the top 11 teams with the toughest remaining schedules, making for a highly competitive finish to the season. The Toronto Raptors, on the other hand, have the easiest schedule, with a cumulative opponent winning percentage of just .367.

The remaining schedule for each team is crucial, not just for playoff positioning but also for preparation for the postseason. With several key players, including Luka Doncic, De'Andre Hunter, and Jimmy Butler, having played limited games for their new teams, the final 28% of the season will be important for building chemistry and momentum. The Lakers, for example, have six players listed on their injury report, including Luka Doncic, who is questionable with a left calf injury, and LeBron James, who is also questionable with left foot injury management. The Clippers, meanwhile, have five players listed on their injury report, including Norman Powell, who is questionable with left knee patellar tendinopathy.

Here is a list of the top 5 teams with the toughest remaining schedules:

• Phoenix Suns: .585 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Sacramento Kings: .556 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Denver Nuggets: .544 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Portland Trail Blazers: .542 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Los Angeles Lakers: .542 cumulative opponent winning percentage

And here is a list of the top 5 teams with the easiest remaining schedules:

• Toronto Raptors: .367 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Indiana Pacers: .398 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• New York Knicks: .408 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Washington Wizards: .418 cumulative opponent winning percentage
• Golden State Warriors: .428 cumulative opponent winning percentage

The NBA season is set to be highly competitive over the final two months, with several teams vying for playoff spots and preparing for the postseason.

In conclusion, the final two months of the 2024-25 NBA season will be crucial for teams looking to secure playoff positioning and prepare for the postseason. With tough schedules ahead for several teams, including the Lakers and Blazers, and key players returning from injury, the competition is set to be fierce. As the season reaches its climax, fans can expect exciting matchups and intense competition, making for a thrilling finish to the season.

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