Strength-of-schedule in the NBA is a myth.
You never know when the Milwaukee Bucks will be without both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, even with two off days between games, as they were on Thursday night when the Brooklyn Nets came to town.
Suddenly, the 11-18 Nets had another great opportunity to win a game and take the lead in their season series with the 2024 In-Season Tournament champions. Of course, Brooklyn’s rebuilding direction — and the front office’s boldness in keeping this direction — complicate that opportunity, but hey, it’s the holiday season, so we will spread some cheer and not focus on the ramifications of winning games in December with veterans not in Brooklyn’s long-term plans, some of whom won’t even survive the season.