NBA Draft Lottery positioning update: Suns hold No. 1 spot in final stretch

The Phoenix Suns have lost 26 of their last 28 games, reaching 11 defeats in a row after Saturday’s loss to the Orlando Magic.

That, unsurprisingly, has led to them maintaining a No. 1 position in the NBA’s reverse standings.

With all the teams in the race now left with only a single-digit amount of games on the schedule, the story now becomes which teams have the most winnable games remaining.

Prior to Monday’s action, 18 of the league’s 30 teams are at least four games above .500, while the other 12 are at least seven games under .500.

That leaves a large gap in the potential quality of opponents left, so here’s a look at how each team’s schedule shapes up in strength.

1. Phoenix Suns

Record: 19-55

Outlook: The Suns have one of the most challenging slates of games left among these teams. They play only two games against teams below .500 and those other six games are against the Celtics, Clippers, Rockets, Warriors, Pelicans and the Warriors again. This week, it’s unlikely they snap the losing streak, facing three of the best five teams in the league and the Clippers, who are in a heated playoff race. With Phoenix 3.5 games ahead of the Mavericks in fourth, it would be truly shocking to the Suns fall out of the top-3 with the schedule they have.

Games this week: vs. Boston (50-23), vs. Clippers (39-34), at Houston (60-14), at Golden State (54-19)

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 19-54

Outlook: The Grizzlies responded to actually winning a basketball game by losing four straight, including a remarkable 61-point loss to the Hornets, who are 33-41. Like Phoenix, Memphis also has only two games remaining that are against teams below .500.

Games this week: at Minnesota (42-32), vs. Portland (45-28), at Utah (42-32), at Portland (45-28)

3. Atlanta Hawks

Record: 21-53

Outlook: Keep an eye on Atlanta. The Hawks’ only game against a non-playoff team is against the Magic and the only game they have won by double digits since the start of February was against Memphis. A narrow win against Utah on March 20 could be big. Dennis Schroder scored 41 points in that game.

Games this week: at Minnesota (42-32), vs. Philadelphia (42-30), vs. Orlando (22-51)

T-4. Dallas Mavericks

Record: 22-51

Outlook: This is where we start to see some separation in terms of strength of schedule. The Mavericks have nine games left and five of those are against teams below .500, including three against these teams at the bottom. They have lost five straight.

Games this week: at Sacramento (24-50), at Lakers (32-40), vs. Minnesota (42-32)

T-4. Orlando Magic

Record: 22-51

Outlook: Orlando has the easiest schedule of these teams. They could potentially go 3-0 this week, a statement you never expected to see in these updates. They have five games straight against teams below .500 before taking on Toronto, Milwaukee and Washington to end the season.

Games this week: vs. Brooklyn (23-51), vs. Chicago (24-49), at Atlanta (21-53)

6. Brooklyn Nets (to Cleveland)

Record: 23-51

Outlook: The Nets’ non-incentive to tank shows in their style of play. They’ve been very competitive the past couple of weeks, losing hard-fought games against Philadelphia, Charlotte, Toronto and Cleveland while beating the Mavericks and Grizzlies. They are a favorite to remain outside the top-5, but it’s worth noting the upcoming Sunday game against the Pistons is the second game of a back-to-back.

Games this week: at Orlando (22-51), at Miami (39-35), vs. Detroit (33-40)

7. Sacramento Kings

Record: 24-50

Outlook: Don’t look now but the team that was expected to be in a race with our top-3 teams has a record of 6-7 in March. The Kings have three games against teams on this list.

Games this week: vs. Dallas (22-51), vs. Indiana (43-31), vs. Golden State (54-19), at Lakers (32-40)

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