Milwaukee Bucks 2018-2019 schedule breakdown
NBA announced the schedule for all teams going into the 2018-2019 season. The Milwaukee Bucks first 10 games, toughest stretch and the final push to close the season will be huge for the team on their playoff hopes.
Everyone is diving into the schedule and realizing the NBA hates their favorite team. At least that’s how it seems. But I thought everyone didn’t care about the regular season? Or was that the playoffs because of the Golden State Warriors? Either way, in a matter of days the NBA released both the Christmas Day games and the full schedule for each team.
The Milwaukee Bucks actually get 18 games scheduled to be nationally televised, 24 if you count NBATV. The first game at home is set to be on Oct.19 against division rivals Indiana Pacers. Oh and they get a Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks. That’s important, right? The Giannis Antetokounmpo impact!
The first 10 games of the season feature stints against Charlotte Hornets (away), Indiana Pacers (home), New York Knicks (home), Philadelphia 76ers (home), Minnesota Timberwolves (away), Orlando Magic (home), Toronto Raptors (home), Boston Celtics (away), Sacramento Kings (home) and the Portland Trailblazers (away). Looking at the slate of teams, with only one back to back (Minnesota to Orlando), Bucks can walk away with at the very least five wins.
The wins will be against Charlotte, New York, Orlando, Toronto and Sacramento. The others are either up for grabs or they will just flat-out lose. Though they stand a fighting chance at Portland it’s still probably a loss. Basing off how the Bucks performed on the road last season(19-22) and in the post-season in particular. Toronto is also a somewhat questionable game since we don’t know if Kawhi Leonard is 100%. He’s a huge outlier for that Raptors team.
Looking at December for the Bucks they face a stingy schedule that will feature eight road games and only six home games. This could be their toughest month of the season. December only features one back to back, but both are on the road against Boston and then Miami. With New York twice in a row after that on an away and home trip. Bucks actually face the Knicks three times in December. As well as division rivals Detroit and Cleveland twice, and Indiana once on the road. Two home games against Western Conference playoff contenders Golden State and New Orleans. If the Bucks come out of December with an above .500 record in these 14 games it would be an accomplishment in itself.
Closing the season, out of 21 games, the Bucks only have nine games against teams not expected to make the playoffs. This final stretch includes games against the Lakers(2x), Jazz, Pacers, Spurs, Pelicans, Heat(2x), Sixers(2x), Rockets and the Thunder. There is only one back to back but both are home games against the Nets and Hawks. If the Bucks don’t have a playoff spot already locked up, and/or if any of these opposing teams are still fighting for seeding, this could also be arguably the toughest stretch for them.
Overall the schedule for each NBA team seems to be “unfavorable” for them at first glance. Until you actually get to playing and see which teams have regressed or improved dramatically from Free Agency, the Draft and injuries. The season starts in just over two months, and we are all already wanting to hit fast forward to watch!