The Suns of the Phoenix now know the route they must take The Los Angeles Lakers are set to reach the promised land in 2024-25, and that will start with four of their first five games against teams from Los Angeles. Two games against the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers to start the campaign, with both of the Clippers’ games being away from home.
In between, there is a game against the Dallas Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals last season and will be in the mix again in the Western Conference next season. As for the opponents The Suns haven’t seen this many since 1968? There will also be games against them, which is a good thing because they have usually beaten these expansion franchises.
Thanks to the good people of HoopsHype – who went to do some research on this subject – we now know that the Lakers have faced the fewest back-to-backs since 2004-05. The last time the league expanded to the 30 teams we know today. The number? Which seems like a hefty 336, until you consider that the Atlanta Hawks lead the way with 393.
It’s even worse with the Clippers – with whom they shared a building until this season, when the The Suns will make a bit of history around this – I had to endure 382 consecutive games in the same amount of time. Doesn’t really seem fair, does it?
You’re probably wondering where the Suns fit into all this, and they’re a middling team for them. Unlike the Lakers and Clippers who have to leave town during Oscar season — and the Spurs in San Antonio for their annual rodeo trip — there’s no reason the Suns should be forced to leave the Valley for an extended period of time. They’re 24th, with 354 back-to-backs.
As nice as that sounds, there is yet another downside coming ahead of the 2024-25 season. The league average for consecutive games ahead of the new campaign is 14.9. Yet the Lakers can once again be found under this number.because they will have to endure 13 of those two games in two nights.
And the Suns? They’re one of 11 teams that will have to concede 16 straight games — and while that may not sound like much, the margins are at an all-time low in the Western Conference. That may not be a huge advantage for the Lakers, but there’s no doubt that Game 2 is usually a grind for the team that played the night before. Especially on the road.
The league may have introduced new rules that allow players over the age of 35 to sit and rest on certain occasions, but Bradley Beal is not one of them. The 31-year-old played just 53 regular-season games in his first year in The Valley, and he is expected to be on the court when healthy. All the more reason to love these Los Angeles Lakers.
