I like to look at the specific spot, pick out 3 or 4 factors I deem most relevant to input into the SDQL search. From there I attemmpt to fine tune it. I try to avoid the pitfalls of data mining bias this way.
For the above query, I felt first game back from a 4+ game road trip with the last game being a loss against a AF coming off a home win were the most relevant factors. Could've also input conference!=o:conference as that accounts for a portion of the cross continent travel given it's the first game of a western road trip for the Wiz.