NBA Lottery Outlook 04-01-2014
By Cody Powers
After last night’s loss at the hands of Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks, the Jazz find themselves with the fourth worst record in the league and with only seven games left in the season, let’s take a look at how things might shake out this week for the bottom teams.
30. Milwaukee Bucks (14-60)
The Bucks have the worst record in the league and have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Eight of those games have been on the road, which all eight were losses. The Bucks look to hang on to that worst record in the league this week as they take on the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls on the road, before coming home on the second night of a back-to-back to face a good Toronto Raptors team. This Weeks Outlook : 0-3
29. Philadelphia 76ers (16-58)
After tying an NBA record with 26 losses in a row, the Sixers finally got a win last week. However, it was short lived as they lost last night once again. When you look at the Sixers schedule for this week, there is potentially a win on there. Philadelphia will host the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday which should be a tough game. On Friday, the Sixers will be on the road in Boston for a game between two teams fighting for lottery position. Then a Saturday contest back home against the Brooklyn Nets. For a normal team there is a chance to pull out a win, maybe two. The Sixers, however, aren’t a normal team so don’t expect much this week. This Weeks Outlook : 0-3
28. Orlando Magic (21-53)
The Magic have an interesting schedule this week because all three of their games are pretty winnable. The Magic host the Cleveland Cavaliers, who they are 0-3 against this season, but the Cavs are a real up and down team. After that, the Magic travel to play against the Bobcats who they are 2-1 against this season, one of those wins in Charlotte. To wrap up the week, they will host the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team who the Magic lost to in overtime earlier in the season. The Magic have a shot to win a couple and drop in the lottery standings. This Weeks Outlook : 2-1
27. Utah Jazz (23-52)
The Jazz got this week off to a rocky start, giving up back to back games where an opposing player scored 30 or more points. The Jazz have one less game than the other lottery teams this week. They don’t play again until Friday when they welcome in Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Jazz just got back from New Orleans last week where the Pelicans beat the Jazz without Davis. Add Davis back into the lineup and the Jazz might have problems. The week will wrap up on Sunday night when the Jazz travel to take on the Golden State Warriors. This is a game that the Jazz probably won’t even be close in. This Weeks Outlook : 0-2
26. Boston Celtics (23-51)
The Celtics are only a half game behind the Jazz for that fourth worst record in the league, but Boston has been playing better this last week. The C’s played some pretty good teams and hung around with them for awhile. This week, they play two teams who are headed for the lottery, which could help the Jazz out. They take on the Washington Wizards, the two teams have each won a game on the other’s home court. Boston finishes the week against the 76ers and the Detroit Pistons. I like Boston’s chances to find a way to win a couple. This Weeks Outlook : 2-1
25. Los Angeles Lakers (25-48)
The Lakers have had anything but an “L.A.” type of year. They started the season without Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol. Nash has been out for most of the season, and Kobe has played in only six games for L.A. However, the Lakers have won three of their last five games. This weeks though, the Lakers have a tough outing playing three teams fighting for playoff positioning. Expect the Lakers to have their hands full this week with the Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, and the Los Angeles Clippers. This Weeks Outlook : 1-3
Next Week’s Standings
If things were to go this way, next week the lottery standings would look as follows:
30. Milwaukee Bucks
29. Philadelphia 76ers
28. Utah Jazz
27. Orlando Magic
26. Boston Celtics
25. Los Angeles Lakers
The outlook for the Jazz getting a top three pick by the time the NBA Lottery rolls around are looking better and better every day. Let’s see how things play out this week!