I added some color scales to make it (hopefully) easier to read, and I added the % of home games remaining. The graph (sorted by SOS remaining) and analysis follows:
1.Are the Knicks in trouble?!
Well, probably not. Okay, okay, okay. I know all the metrics across are red (bad) meaning they've played a fairly easy schedule, have a fairly hard schedule upcoming, only 40% of their remaining games at home, and if these report cards meant ANYTHING, you'd think they'd have to be in trouble. But fortunately for Inner, the Knicks have a 9 game lead over the Nets who play on the road almost as much as the Knicks do over the rest of the season. I think the 76ers can make up some ground, for sure, but 12.5 games is a big hole to erase. Look for the Knicks to win the division over the 76ers by 6-8 games or so.
2.Who's winning the crazy Central?
The Bucks and Bulls have both played relatively easy schedules, and have roughly equally difficult rest of season slates. They also both have 50% of the rest of their season's at home. That being said, the Bulls have a much easier next sim than the Bucks, so look for them to build their lead to a few games tonight if they want to feel comfortable the rest of the way.
3.What about the tight Southwest?
The Spurs have a 1.5 game lead over the Pelicans, have played a fairly easy schedule, and have a difficult slate ahead (including a really tough next sim), BUT they're one green number is a BIG DEAL. Over 60% of the Spurs' remaining games will be played in San Antonio (the 2nd highest of any team) which could be the big equalyzer. The Pelicans are roughly middle-of-the-pack with most of these metrics which says that their 30-22 is probably right on target. They'll have to take advantage of the 2nd easiest sim tonight in the league to make up some ground, or the Spurs could run away at home. If the Pels are able to take the division lead after this sim, look for this race to go the wire. Relax, 78, I didn't forget about you only 4 games back, but you have a tough slate the rest of the way and two teams to leapfrog. I see the Rockets running a clear third in the division race.
