There are less than 30 games remaining in the 2023-24 NBA regular season, though most tend to view the final stretch of the season after the All-Star Break as the “second half of the season.” With less than two months before the start of the playoffs, this is the time for teams to go full throttle in perhaps one final attempt to salvage their seasons.
In this article, we’ll explore six teams that desperately need a monster “second half” as they attempt to avoid a disastrous and “lost” season.
6 NBA teams that need a strong second half to salvage an otherwise lost season
Atlanta Hawks
There may not be many people who are willing to admit it, but the Atlanta Hawks have been a pretty disappointing team this season. You can make the argument that the Hawks have been a disappointment since making the big move for Dejounte Murray. In short, I don’t anticipate anyone in the organization will say that the Murray-Trae Young duo has panned out as they thought it would.
Houston Rockets
If we look back to the offseason, the Houston Rockets were one of the most aggressive teams when free agency opened. They didn’t waste much time to spend, and they spent big. The Rockets threw big money in the direction of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. They also added Jeff Green as another veteran in an attempt to help the Rockets make a strong move up the Western Conference standings. After their offseason moves, it was clear that the Rockets’ goal entering the season was to make the playoffs.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a team that has been struggling since the offseason. After failing to acquire Damian Lillard and/or Bradley Beal, it’s been tough sledding for the Heat. They’ve been just as average this year in the regular season as they were last season in which they had to back their way into the postseason. Even though they had a historic run to the NBA Finals, it’s hard to imagine Miami repeating what they did last year.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have struggled for much of the season. So much so that there’s a sudden belief that the dynasty is over. But that can all change with a strong second half of the season. Even though the Warriors have shown some encouraging signs of late, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that they’ve found something just yet. However, if they could make a late move up the standings and perhaps even win a playoff series or two, the narrative around this team will certainly change heading into the offseason.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks know what’s at stake heading into the second half of the season. Even after firing their head coach to make way for Doc Rivers, the pressure was ratcheted even further. The Bucks have the talent, they have the depth, and, now, they have the coaching. The question is, will the Bucks finally look like the championship contender that many believed they would be at the start of the season?
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are another team that many expected would be a contender in the Western Conference. However, this team hasn’t been able to reach that level of play at a consistent level this season. That’s why heading into the last two months of the season, the Lakers need a strong ending to the year if they want to have any shot of salvaging this campaign. Can you imagine if this season is remembered as another wasted year for LeBron James?
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