The Lakers face a tough road ahead: Analyzing the impact of 15 back-to-back games on their 2023-24 season schedule
Starting with their season opener against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers' rigorous schedule is set to test their resilience and adaptability. The back-to-back games, accounting for a substantial 20% of their total match-ups, present a demanding physical and psychological challenge for the team. The intense schedule may impact the team's performance and stamina, particularly considering the mere seven games in which the Lakers hold a rest advantage over their opponents.
Adding to the difficulty, the Lakers' first 34 games necessitate extensive travel, with more than half of those matches taking place on the road. The travel burden could increase based on the team's performance in the in-season tournament in November and December. This demanding schedule will inevitably test the Lakers' ambition of a deep postseason run, especially considering their schedule's ranking as the fourth hardest in the NBA.
Despite the back-to-back games and daunting travel schedule, the Lakers face additional challenges. The team has only a dozen games where they have less rest than their opponents, putting them at a disadvantage when compared to the league's rest-advantage games, with Houston at the low end with five games and Boston at the high end with 16.
The Lakers' challenges don't end there, as they are slated to play in six high-stakes games within a short span twice in the season. They will also participate in group play for the inaugural in-season tournament with matches scheduled against formidable teams such as Phoenix, Memphis, Portland, and Utah.
Despite the demanding schedule, the spotlight remains fixed on the Lakers, with LeBron James returning for his 21st NBA season. Forty of their games will be broadcast nationally, highlighting key matches such as the season opener against Denver and the highly anticipated Christmas game against Boston.
On a side note, this season marks the end of the Lakers and Clippers sharing the Crypto.com Arena. The rivalry will be commemorated with four face-offs before the Clippers transition to their new home in Inglewood. In addition, the Lakers will be matched against some notable opponents, such as No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio on December 13, and a highly anticipated reunion between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks on November 19 and December 2.
In summary, the Lakers' 2023-24 season presents a formidable challenge. With a series of back-to-back games, intense travel, and numerous high-stakes match-ups, the team's endurance and performance will be under significant scrutiny. Despite these challenges, the Lakers remain in the spotlight as they continue their pursuit of NBA glory.