NC Watchability Rankings: Golden State and Houston Run It Back
By Matt Femrite
Jan 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to the second edition of the Watchability Rankings, where I attempt to project which games each week will be the most or least-entertaining. So far so good, at least according to the reader-response last week.
The formula to measure and rank Watchability was left unchanged from last week’s post, where ten statistical categories (each of them explained last week) were included for two teams in a matchup and compared with every other game in a week. A matchup finishing last place in a statistic would be given one point and first place ten[1. For example, a game between Philadelphia and New York, the worst possible matchup according to net rating, would rank last in net rating sum and be given one point. Golden-State-Atlanta, the best possible matchup, would be given 10 points.]. Every other game is scaled between those marks, and with ten statistics total this would generate a watchability score between ten and 100 points.
This week brings 57 games, nine more than last week which, with how the watchability scores are made, is nice. The more games, the better. Because of a rematch between Houston and Golden State, though, we have a familiar game topping out this week’s list. The screenshot below sorted the games by watchability score, but you also can find them sorted by day here. I also noted which games will be nationally televised. Afterwords, I’ll go over the top and bottom five games:
The Top Five
Houston @ Golden State, Wednesday: The final regular season game between the two, making room for a new first-place game next week. As stated last week, the formula loves Golden State, in a league of their own for multiple reasons. Throw them against a team like Houston that scores off a lot of dunks, threes, and in transition, and it’s another convincing first-place finish between the two. Saturday’s game ended in a blowout, however, but tons of offense and a fast pace (204 possessions last game) hopefully hint at more fireworks in the rematch.
Boston @ Golden State, Sunday: Maybe noticeable last week was the formula also shining some light on Boston, though that’s slowly fading. Still, they don’t stop play with a lot of free throws (28th in free throw rate) and rank in the top ten in pace, fast break points, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Pair them in a game with the Warriors and it rates above-average to great in every category except net rating differential.
L.A. Clippers @ Phoenix, Sunday: No bonus points were given for having multiple family members on the same team. This matchup could’ve overtaken Houston-Golden State, though, if not for the penalty for stoppages in play. The Clippers rank fifth-worst in opponent free throw rate while the Suns are dead last.
Dallas @ New Orleans, Sunday: We have a ways to go before we get there, but Sunday’s looking like a good set of games. Dallas-New Orleans is the first matchup to score above-average marks in every statistic factored into the watchability formula.
Boston @ L.A. Clippers, Monday: We came close to a weird Watchability triangle between the Celtics, Clippers, and Warriors. Boston’s first of a six-game trip through the Western Conference starts today in Los Angeles.
The Bottom Five
Indiana @ Miami, Friday: Such an intriguing matchup last season and now last place in the Watchability Rankings, Indiana-Miami scored below-average marks in every Watchability category except net rating difference, which typically rewards games with lottery ball or playoff implications. Not yet 100 percent sure which one applies to this game.
Philadelphia @ Memphis, Saturday: With the formula heavy on scoring statistics, Philadelphia drags down matchups that would otherwise be in the middle of the pack, and this this one is all of the meh after scoring 3.2 to 5.3 in every category except net rating difference. Hinting at a blowout, that category spat out a score of 1.6.
New York @ Philadelphia, Wednesday: Scored a 1.0 in net rating sum, offensive rating, assist-to-turnover ratio, and 1.5 in opponent free throw rate. Fun times.
Philadelphia @ Washington, Monday: Rated decently in fast break points and dunks per 100 possessions, but also pace. Not bad for what looks like a blowout, though Philadelphia is 4-4 in their last eight games.
New York @ Charlotte, Saturday: Placing just below a nationally-televised game between Miami and Chicago is what should be a glorious matchup between Cole Aldrich and Bismack Biyombo. Love this league.