Pelton's first-half schedule difficulty ranking is as follows (the higher the ranking, the greater the difficulty)-
1-5: Thunder, Pistons, Bulls, Raptors and Jazz;
6- 10: lone ranger, king, pelican, wizard, wasp;
1 1- 15: Nuggets, Celts, Suns, Eagles, Grizzlies;
16-20: Warriors, Heat, Spurs, Clippers, Cavaliers;
2 1-25: timberwolves, 76 ers, Knicks, Nets, Pacers;
26-30: Trailblazers, Rockets, Lakers, Bucks, Magic.
The Rockets ranked 27th in the difficulty of the schedule. In the first half, they had 18 home games and 19 away games, but only five were back to back. The Lakers' schedule is the 28th most difficult. In the first half, they played 19 at home and 18 away, with only five back-to-back games.
The lineup of the Lakers and Rockets has changed a lot, and the intensity of the first half is not great, which is also conducive to their better running-in lineup and entering the state. Five back-to-back games are the least in the first half of the league. In addition to the Rockets and Lakers, only the Raptors and the Heat enjoy such treatment. However, judging from the strength of their opponents, the Raptors and Heat met stronger opponents in the first half than the Rockets and Lakers.
Thunder's schedule in the first half was the hardest, ranking first in the league. In addition to seven back-to-back matches, their opponents are also very strong, but this is not bad news for this team that intends to rebuild. They have sent away most of the core puzzles, so they can feel at ease in the new season.