Milwaukee Bucks' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for January
Despite losing some ground during a daunting December, the Milwaukee Bucks managed to finish 2014 in respectable fashion. As the schedule intensified, the team remained competitive and showed it has staying power in the Eastern Conference.
Now, with 2015 upon us, the Bucks will look to continue the solid start and potentially even gain some ground as the schedule eases up slightly.
Even without rookie Jabari Parker for the rest of the season, the Bucks should continue to grow and gain experience as a unit, which means they should stay in the thick of the playoff hunt.
And while that could mean they won't get a top pick in this summer's draft, that should be the least of worries if they continue to jell.
But, first things first—they have to make it through January in one piece.
Week 1 (Jan. 2 to Jan. 9)
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Weekly Schedule and Predictions
Friday, Jan. 2: vs. Indiana (Win)
Sunday, Jan. 4: at New York (Win)
Tuesday, Jan. 6: vs. Phoenix (Loss)
Wednesday, Jan. 7: at Philadelphia (Win)
Friday, Jan. 9: vs. Minnesota (Win)
The Bucks start 2015 with a stretch of five games in seven days. Fortunately, the schedule bodes well for them during the first week in January.
In fact, if the Bucks play up to par, their only blemish could potentially be against the talented Phoenix Suns, who have seemingly hit their stride, winning their last six games.
Milwaukee needed a buzzer-beater by Khris Middleton to beat the Suns—who were without Goran Dragic that game—in December, and with Phoenix playing well, it will take a near flawless effort to get another victory.
Aside from that game, though, outings against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves should favor Milwaukee. Those four teams have a combined record of 26-102 and are as close to automatic wins as they come.
With that said, the Bucks seem to play up to better competition and down to lesser, so dropping several more games during this slate wouldn't come as a major surprise either.
Still, a 4-1 start to January isn't far-fetched and would certainly be a great way to start off the new year.
Week 2 (Jan. 10 to Jan. 15)
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Weekly Schedule and Predictions
Saturday, Jan. 10: at Chicago (Loss)
Thursday, Jan. 15: vs. New York (Win)
After a busy start to the calendar year, things slow down a bit for the Bucks as they play just two games between January 10 and January 18.
And while the calm may help them recover from the busy first week, it won't be easy with a meeting against the Chicago Bulls on tap.
With a seemingly healthy Derrick Rose, the Bulls have been hitting their stride and making a case for being the best team in the Eastern Conference. In addition to Rose, the Bucks will have their hands full trying to defend the likes of Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol as well.
The one stat playing in Milwaukee's favor: The Bulls are 8-6 when hosting opponents at the United Center.
That small consolation may provide some optimism, but it's hard to see the Bucks snatching a win from a Bulls team that seems poised to make a deep playoff run, assuming Rose remains healthy.
However, a home game against the Knicks five days later should help remedy things a bit.
Week 3 (Jan. 19 to Jan. 25)
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Weekly Schedule and Predictions
Monday, Jan. 19: vs. Toronto (Loss)
Thursday, Jan. 22: vs. Utah (Win)
Saturday, Jan. 24: vs. Detroit (Win)
Sunday, Jan. 25: at San Antonio (Loss)
This stretch of games sees the Bucks playing three games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center; two of them are matchups they should win.
Jammed in between a tough home game against the Toronto Raptors and a trip to San Antonio to face the Spurs, the Bucks play host to the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons.
The Bucks are 2-1 against the Pistons so far and will look to finish off the season series with one final victory. Given Detroit no longer has Josh Smith, that should be even easier than before.
Additionally, with their 11-21 record, the Jazz should be a team the Bucks can handle with relative ease.
And while the Raptors and Spurs are top-notch teams, don't be surprised if the Bucks keep those games close and have the opportunity to sneak out with a victory.
When it's all said and done, though, a 2-2 record during this week would be just fine.
Week 4 (Jan. 27 to Jan. 31)
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Weekly Schedule and Predictions
Tuesday, Jan. 27: at Miami (Win)
Thursday, Jan. 29: at Orlando (Win)
Saturday, Jan. 31: vs. Portland (Loss)
To end the month, the Bucks take a trip down to Florida to challenge the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic before returning home to host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Wins at Miami and Orlando are within reason and, to be perfectly honest, expected. Portland, on the other hand, poses much more of a problem. However, after a strong showing against the Blazers in December, snagging a win at home might be possible if all of the stars align.
Ultimately, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge will be too much for the Bucks to handle. Given Portland's excellent supporting cast, shutting down everyone enough for Milwaukee to get a win will be difficult.
Really, though, coming away with a 2-1 record in the final week of games would not only be a strong finish to the month but allow the Bucks to carry momentum into February.
January at a Glance
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Milwaukee's schedule in January doesn't include a rough West Coast swing like December did and sees them facing slightly lesser competition.
Finishing the month 9-5 is certainly a realistic goal and would give this young team a good surge and a good deal of momentum heading into early February and, subsequently, the All-Star break.
However, the Bucks haven't exactly been the most consistent team throughout the first few months of the season. And while that is to be expected for with such inexperience, it doesn't make predictions very accurate in the long run.
As easily as they could beat the Raptors, the Bucks are just as likely to drop a game to the 76ers or Knicks.
That's just part of the growing process and is a recurring theme that we'll visit time and time again as 2014-15 continues to roll along.
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