As December unfolds, the NBA has released the schedule for the upcoming games from December 10-16, following the conclusion of the Emirates NBA Cup Group Play. With 25 games already played, it’s time to analyze the strength of schedule for the month ahead.
Strength of Schedule Calculations
To assess the strength of schedule for the eight teams advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals, the second game of the tournament is treated as a neutral-site matchup against an average opponent, based on their records and offensive and defensive rankings.
Rest Advantage Insights
A rest-advantage game occurs when one team has not played the previous day, while the opposing team has. So far this season, teams have recorded a 45-36 (.556) win-loss record in these situations, with home teams winning 24 of 42 games (.571) and road teams winning 21 of 39 (.538) as of December 3.
Eastern Conference Highlights
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks enjoy a home-heavy schedule with seven or eight of their 12 games at State Farm Arena. However, they face their longest road trip of the season—a six-game stretch—beginning December 29. Notably, three of their first four December games are rest-advantage matchups.
Boston Celtics: With 10 of their 14 games at TD Garden, the Celtics have the league’s most home-centric December schedule. They are currently in the midst of five games in seven days, but only one of their last nine games (December 23 against Orlando) is against a team with a winning record.
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets have performed well against the Western Conference, boasting a 6-1 record, and will face Memphis, a team they have beaten twice, in one of their two interconference games scheduled for this month.
Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets will play eight of their 12 games against teams currently in the bottom six of the Eastern Conference, including three matchups against the Sixers.
Chicago Bulls: Struggling against the Western Conference with a 1-7 record, the Bulls will play 11 of their 12 December games within the East, with their only out-of-conference game being a trip to San Antonio.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers are undefeated against the West (4-0) but face challenging interconference games this month, including a home matchup against the Nuggets.
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons have played a league-high 22 games through November and will have only 10 games in December, with just three at home.
Indiana Pacers: Currently on a seven-game road losing streak, the Pacers have the league’s highest number of road games this month, with 10 total.
Miami Heat: The Heat face the second-toughest December schedule in the East, with a cumulative opponent winning percentage of .577, and have four back-to-back games scheduled.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks have the easiest December schedule based on opposing defenses, facing only seven teams currently ranked in the bottom 10 defensively.
New York Knicks: The Knicks enjoy the easiest December schedule in terms of cumulative opponent winning percentage, with 10 of their 14 games against teams with losing records.
Orlando Magic: The Magic are set for the longest homestand of the month, with six games over 11 days, potentially extending to seven if they face the Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers will embark on two six-game road trips this season, with the first starting on Christmas Day in Boston.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors will play eight of their first nine December games at home, where they have secured four consecutive victories.
Washington Wizards: The Wizards began December with a challenging schedule, facing teams with winning records in 10 of their 12 games.
Western Conference Highlights
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks have been on a hot streak, winning nine of their last 10 games, including a victory in Oklahoma City, where they will return for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets are one of seven teams facing three stretches of five games in seven days this season, with their first occurring from December 22-28.
Golden State Warriors: The Warriors will begin a six-game homestand on December 28, which could extend to seven games depending on NBA Cup results.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets have yet to experience a rest-advantage game, with their first scheduled for December 29 against the Heat.
Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers will not face any Eastern Conference teams in December, holding a 5-1 record against the East so far.
Los Angeles Lakers: Nine of the Lakers’ first 10 December games are against teams at or below .500, although they suffered a significant loss to Minnesota.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies will have played 18 of their 31 games at home by December 26, but will then face a tough road schedule.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves are one of only two teams without back-to-back games in December and have a league-high four rest-advantage games.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans face the fourth-toughest December schedule, with 10 of their 13 games against teams with winning records.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder have the easiest December schedule in the West, with only five games against teams with winning records.
Phoenix Suns: The Suns will benefit from newly scheduled games against Utah and Portland, enhancing their December lineup.
Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers, like the Timberwolves, have no back-to-backs this month and have two rest-advantage games.
Sacramento Kings: The Kings will play only four road games in December, including a single-game trip to New Orleans.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs will make their first trip to the Eastern time zone on December 23, starting a four-game road trip.
Utah Jazz: Following a loss to Oklahoma City, the Jazz will play eight of their next nine games on the road, concluding the month with a couple of home games.
As the month progresses, teams will look to capitalize on their schedules to improve their standings ahead of the new year.
Related topics
- DFS Picks & Advice for NBA Fantasy
- Former All-Star forward Paul Millsap retires
- NBA Monthly Awards: Tatum Wembanyama Win
