The 2023–24 NBA season is scheduled to resume on Thursday after the conclusion of the 2024 All-Star break. With less than 30 games remaining for each team, the importance of each game will increase. However, some teams will have tougher schedules than others over the long haul of the season. 16 teams have a remaining strength of schedule of .500 or higher. This figure reflects the combined winning percentage of all their opponents for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, five teams have remaining strengths of schedule below .470, giving them a prime opportunity to gain ground in the standings. On that note, let’s have a look at five teams with the easiest schedules after the All-Star break.
5) Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies’ season has been derailed by injuries and they have 10 players listed on their injury report currently during the All-Star break. The list includes the Grizzlies’ star point guard, Ja Morant, who is out for the season. Still, they have the fifth-easiest remaining strength of schedule. Therefore, the team should have plenty of opportunities to develop its young players, like GG Jackson II and Vince Williams Jr., despite less competition.
4) Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have the fourth-easiest remaining strength of schedule, which is .464 in 27 games and unlike the Grizzlies, they can use it. The Heat have also faced several injuries this season. However, they are still in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, with only three games separating them from the New York Knicks. So, assuming they stay relatively healthy, Jimmy Butler and the team should have a prime chance to secure home court advantage in the playoffs.
3) Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics remain on top of the NBA standings during the All-Star break, with four games separating them from the Western Conference’s first-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. Nevertheless, they have the league’s third-easiest remaining schedule. So, if the Celtics keep up their pace, they should have ample opportunities to manage their key players’ minutes. Keeping veterans like Al Horford and Jrue Holiday, as well as Kristaps Porzingis, healthy will be key to their playoff success.
2) Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are outside play-in and don’t have a true No. 1 scoring option. Meanwhile, Brooklyn no longer owns a 2024 first-round draft pick after being traded to the Houston Rockets in the 2021 James Harden trade. Therefore, the franchise is left with no option but to try and compete, as there is no benefit in tanking.
Luckily for the Nets, they have the second-best remaining strength of schedule. Additionally, Brooklyn announced on Monday that it fired Coach Jacque Vaughn and promoted assistant Kevin Ollie to interim coach. So, perhaps their easier schedule and new leadership will be enough to help them secure a play-in/playoff spot.
1) Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic have the easiest strength of schedule after the All-Star break (.435 in 27 games). Like Miami, they may benefit from their softer schedule, as they sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The team, led by Paolo Banchero, is looking to secure the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2020. So, if they take care of business against inferior opponents, Orlando should have a strong chance to do so.
