Milwaukee Bucks: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 schedule release
Final stretch offers hope and opportunity
The Milwaukee Bucks may open their season against a tough pair of foes, but every schedule evens out in the long run. Parallel to their tough opening, the Bucks have a soft landing to end the season. That could give them the opportunity in the final days to solidify or even improve their playoff standing.
After a late-March meeting with the Golden State Warriors, the Bucks play just one of their last seven games against a team that made the playoffs last season. While they host the Boston Celtics, they otherwise see a collection of teams either on the bottom or looking to climb up from it.
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The last week especially projects to be soft, with games against the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic before a season finale with the Philadelphia 76ers. While fans in Philly expect great things for their team, it’s just as likely injuries have derailed their season and their hopes of competing. Those four teams finished with the four worst records in the Eastern Conference last season, averaging just 27 wins.
It’s a long season, and those opponents could change in talent and strength. Context will matter as well, because a team fighting for a playoff berth has a different incentive than one already resigned to a lottery fate and giving its youngest players extended run. Milwaukee could benefit or lose out by the situation of its opponents.
But on the surface, there is opportunity to be found. If the Bucks can keep themselves in the thick of the playoff race by the time April rolls around, then they could make a move in the final weeks. A climb into home-court advantage, the solidifying of a playoff berth, or even a recovery from early-season struggles to even make a return to the playoffs could all take place in the season’s final days.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Goals for D.J. Wilson's rookie season
In all, the 2017-18 NBA schedule offers excitement, intrigue and hope for the Milwaukee Bucks and their fans. But in the end it’s just a blank slate, ready to be filled in with the highs and lows of this franchise’s 50th season.