Do the Cavs and Lakers' schedules REALLY get tougher?

[illantari]

I've been sort of wondering about this... Everyone's been saying how the C's schedule was front-loaded and now that our tough stretch is over other teams' tough stretches are beginning, but is it really going to be that much tougher?  The Cavs and Flakers have played only 3 less games than us, which over the course of the next two months doesn't seem like that much. 

I was flipping through the schedule and the next back to back the Cavs have is playing the Clippers at home after playing Orlando.  The Clippers, heaven forbid.  The Flakers' East Coast road trip before they hit us largely goes through the likes of the Raptors.  Haven't looked at the entire rest of the schedule, but it doesn't seem like it's really that much different between us and them, if you consider we have the numerous contenders coming in in rapid succession and a ridiculous road schedule next month.  So...am I missing something?  Is our schedule really getting that much easier, and is their schedule really getting tougher?

[NoraG1]

I've been sort of wondering about this... Everyone's been saying how the C's schedule was front-loaded and now that our tough stretch is over other teams' tough stretches are beginning, but is it really going to be that much tougher?  The Cavs and Flakers have played only 3 less games than us, which over the course of the next two months doesn't seem like that much. 

I was flipping through the schedule and the next back to back the Cavs have is playing the Clippers at home after playing Orlando.  The Clippers, heaven forbid.  The Flakers' East Coast road trip before they hit us largely goes through the likes of the Raptors.  Haven't looked at the entire rest of the schedule, but it doesn't seem like it's really that much different between us and them, if you consider we have the numerous contenders coming in in rapid succession and a ridiculous road schedule next month.  So...am I missing something?  Is our schedule really getting that much easier, and is their schedule really getting tougher?

In the sense they have more games and probably games closer together. Celtics are going to have more days off. Not necissarly easier opponants but they will get more rest which is what is most important for the Celtics imo. The lack of rest is the reason they went into their slump imo.

[BballTim]

  I think Cleveland ends up with a harder schedule than us. After March 29 we have 7 games and they have 9. We play each other once but the next three toughest opponents (Detroit, Orlando and San Antonio) are all on cleveland's schedule.

[fairweatherfan]

Their schedules get tougher overall, especially for the Lakers, who have a whopping 24 of their last 38 games on the road. Combine that with a natural tendency to coast with no one threatening them in the West, and they'll start taking losses no matter who their playing. 

Plus, everyone forgets that Kobe, LeBron, and Gasol all played in the Olympics this summer, and still haven't a real chance to heal and rest since the summer of 07.  Extra games will count more against their wear and tear - they'll be getting more banged up while we'll be getting more rest than we've had in months.  I think this next 6 weeks can be very good to us if we keep up the high level of play.

[Rondo_is_better]

The frequency of the games being played will increase for the Cavs and the Lakers, and towards the end of the season, the opposition will get tougher for them. Everyone is talking about the Celtics have "kept pace" with the Lakers and Cavs.... well, we've done our time already. They haven't. We'll see how they do with the drain of playing with more frequency against better competition.

We already had our stretch of weeks with 4 games per week go by. In fact, we had three weeks in a row with 4 or more games, which is abnormally tough. Anyway, that stretch of intense game frequency is the roughest patch of any season for any team; in the NBA, you're going out against big, physical guys every night, no matter what team your playing against. Therefore, the increased grind borne out of increased frequency is the biggest factor in determining difficulty of schedule.

We have a nice stretch with lots of 2 day rest periods between games coming up, while the Cavs and Lakers are gonna be ramping it up and playing more often, and then, towards the end of the season, especially for the Lakers, a bunch more on the road.

In summary: I smell blood in the water.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

All I know is the lakers just got let completly off the hook at home against the bobcats...Charlotte had the game wrapped up and missed 7 free throws in a row, and now its in overtime and they basically have no chance...boo...lakers suck

[twinbree]

Yeah Bobcats threw that one away. They can be a handful I'd hate to see them sneak into the playoffs. That's why I'm always hoping the Celtics pull up the FT%. Those misses pile up especially since they get to the line often.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Yeah Bobcats threw that one away. They can be a handful I'd hate to see them sneak into the playoffs. That's why I'm always hoping the Celtics pull up the FT%. Those misses pile up especially since they get to the line often.

Wow I take that back! Bobcats with a chance to win the game in OT and kobe fouled out!

And I agree about the bobcats, they are one of the most underrated teams in the league, and very dangerous to us specifically if they make the playoffs

Double overtime for the lakers/bobcats...dang good game...

[twinbree]

Yeah Bobcats threw that one away. They can be a handful I'd hate to see them sneak into the playoffs. That's why I'm always hoping the Celtics pull up the FT%. Those misses pile up especially since they get to the line often.

Wow I take that back! Bobcats with a chance to win the game in OT and kobe fouled out!

And I agree about the bobcats, they are one of the most underrated teams in the league, and very dangerous to us specifically if they make the playoffs

I can't believe they managed to force another OT after the Lakers started with a 6-0 run. I really hope the Celtics don't see them in the 1st round them and the Pacers, Knicks and Sixers all potential trouble-makers

[guava_wrench]

Losing Wallace really hurt.

Bynum has looked strong throughout the game.

[guava_wrench]

I've been sort of wondering about this... Everyone's been saying how the C's schedule was front-loaded and now that our tough stretch is over other teams' tough stretches are beginning, but is it really going to be that much tougher?  The Cavs and Flakers have played only 3 less games than us, which over the course of the next two months doesn't seem like that much. 

I was flipping through the schedule and the next back to back the Cavs have is playing the Clippers at home after playing Orlando.  The Clippers, heaven forbid.  The Flakers' East Coast road trip before they hit us largely goes through the likes of the Raptors.  Haven't looked at the entire rest of the schedule, but it doesn't seem like it's really that much different between us and them, if you consider we have the numerous contenders coming in in rapid succession and a ridiculous road schedule next month.  So...am I missing something?  Is our schedule really getting that much easier, and is their schedule really getting tougher?

Regardless of whether their schedules will be harder or not, ours will be easier. We started with so many games, we were worn down. Only a week ago we had 5 more games played than them. We had our stretch where we were worn out from our front loaded start. We should have to worry about that again.

[fairweatherfan]

I'm afraid to jinx this, but what a game, and the Cats might actually pull it out despite their best efforts to blow it.  Always nice to see the Lakers lose.  Another game closer to home-court...

[ACF]

I don't care about tough schedules.
The LA Losers have now lost 9 games
as well. Cleveland will be our biggest
problem, for sure.

[twinbree]

Losing Wallace really hurt.

Bynum has looked strong throughout the game.

I know I'm surprised they're hanging in there without Wallace. He usually does quite some damage. Man what I'd give to be a fly on the Laker locker room wall now  

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Bobcats played really good all game until they gagged up those free throws to seal the game in the 4th...taking that punch (as the celtics would say) early in the first overtime, and coming back to send it to another OT was impressive...Larry Brown is really starting to get a grasp on this team, they played extremly hard every minute of the game.;..and Boris Diaw and Raja bell look rejuvinated to be away from the suns...theyre better than the hawks IMO, and not a team i want to see in the first round.
Alright, sorry for hijacking the thread