Milwaukee Bucks: 5 New Year’s resolutions for 2018

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Bradley Center on December 22, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

4. Host a playoff series

Barring the unexpected, the three top teams in the Eastern Conference are set, as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors will fight with each other to determine seeding before the playoffs begin. That leaves just one remaining opening to host a playoff series.

Milwaukee loves playing at home, and the numbers thus far in the season support that fact: 12-6 at home, compared to 7-9 on the road. Like many small-market teams, the lack of distractions and the presence of fan support at home gives them a significant boost.

To host a playoff series, and thus play four games out of seven at home, would give Milwaukee its best chance of advancing. In addition, it would mean avoiding one of the East’s three best teams in the first round — and then only a 1-of-3 probability of facing LeBron James‘ Cavaliers in the next round.

To get there, Milwaukee will need to be the best of a crowded group of teams. Although some teams such as Philadelphia and New York have fallen back to earth in December, there are still five teams all jockeying for playoff positioning. The Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat all have realistic paths to emerging atop the group and into fourth place in the East.

FiveThirtyEight currently projects the Bucks to finish 44-38, tied with Detroit for fifth in the East. Washington is currently projected one game ahead of them with 45 wins and the coveted fourth-spot in the standings. A game here or there could decide the race, and the first few weeks of 2018 will set the stage for the Bucks moving forward.

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