State of the Tank:
1. Hawks 12-31
2. Magic 12-31
3. Kings 13-30 (1)
4. Grizzlies 14-28 (2.5)
5. Mavs 15-29 (2.5)
6. Lakers 15-28 (3)
7. Suns 16-28 (3.5)
8. Nets 16-28 (3.5)
9. Bulls 17-27 (5)
10. Jazz 17-26 (5)
11. Hornets 17-25 (5.5)
12. Knicks 20-24 (7.5)
13. 76ers 20-20 (9.5)
14. Clippers 22-21 (10)
Meanwhile the Jazz are 5 games out of a 4 way tie for 8th place. Clippers, Nuggets and Blazers are all there. So that only increases the difficulty for the Jazz. They'd have to make up 5 games as well as own tie breakers...
Most relevant teams games through the end of Jan.:
Jazz:
@ Kings 1/17, v Knicks 01/19, v Clips 01/20, @ Hawks 01/22, @ Pistons 01/24, @ Raptors 01/26, v Warriors 1/30
That is 4 games against possible rivals in the tank and 3 against playoff teams. If the Jazz are serious about this they need to go 0-7. I bet they go 2-5 with wins @ Kings and v Knicks
Bulls:
v Warriors 01/17, @ Hawks 01/20, @ Pelicans 01/22, @ Sixers 01/24, v Lakers 01/26, v Bucks 01/28 and @ Blazers 01/31
Bulls have gone 5-5 over their last team so it is possible they pick up some wins here. @ Hawks and v Lakers are the best bets.
Hornets:
v Wizards 01/17, v Heat 01/20, v Kings 01/22, v Pelicans 01/24, v Hawks 01/26, @ Heat 01/27, @ Pacers 01/29 and @ Hawks 01/31
Possible Ws are v Kings and v Hawks. They have gone 6-4 over the last 10 so maybe they will go in the range of 4-4 over this 8 game stretch.
Nets:
v Spurs 01/17, v Heat 01/19, @ Pistons 01/21, @ Thunder 01/23, @ Bucks 01/26, @ Wolves 01/27, @ Knicks 01/30 and v 76ers 01/31
Tough schedule for the Nets. They might go 0-8 to close out the month.
Lakers:
@ Thunder 01/17, v Pacers 01/19, v Knicks 01/21, v Celtics 01/23, @ Bulls 01/26, @ Raptors 01/28 and @ Magic 01/31
I'm really hoping that this team ends up in the late lottery and that the OKC gamble on PG works and he ditches them this offseason. Lakers could go 3-4 with wins v Knicks, @ Bulls and
@magic
Suns:
@ Blazers 01/16, @ Nuggets 01/19, @ Bucks 01/22, @ Pacers 01/24, v Knicks 01/26, @ Rockets 01/28, @ Grizzlies 01/29 and v Mavs 01/31
Another tough schedule. Maybe 2 wins? v Knicks and V Mavs. 2-6 to close the month.
So it is realistic that the Jazz gain a little separation from the Hornets and maintain pace with the rest of the field. Nets might be the most likely team to move up on the lottery.
