Analysis: Milwaukee Bucks Release 2018-2019 Schedule, Basketball Will Be Played

During the mid-afternoon on Friday, the 2018-2019 NBA scheduled was released. There was much rejoicing!

The Milwaukee Bucks will open the season on the road and play against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, October 17th. The first game in the brand new Fiserv Forum will be two days later, on Friday, October 19th, against the division rival(?) Indiana Pacers. After all eighty-two, Milwaukee ends their season on Wednesday, April 10th, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bucks’ status as Eastern Conference contenders was caught the eyes of the scheduling team, as they have 19(!) nationally televised games this season, which is the seventh-highest in the league.

Besides the nationally televised games, we have some other notable dates listed below:

• October 24th: first meeting against the Philadelphia 76ers.
• October 29th: first game against the Toronto Raptors.
• November 1st: first contest with the Boston Celtics.
• November 16th: Jabari Parker returns to Milwaukee for the first time with the Chicago Bulls
• November 6th-11th: first Western Road Trip (Portland, Golden State, LA Clippers, Denver)
• December 27th-January 7th: longest home stand at the Fiserv Forum
• January 21st: MLK matinee game against the Dallas Mavericks.
• February 27th-March 4th: second Western Road Trip (Sacramento, LA Lakers, Utah, Phoenix)
• March 19th: LeBron James returns to Milwaukee as a member of the Lakers.

Initial Thoughts

• The first Western Conference road trip looks more difficult than the second. The Clippers are the weakest team of the four, but they are still an above-average squad. The second trip will have a tough Lakers and Jazz team, but will also go against the Kings and Suns who might tanking by that point.
• There isn’t an “easy month” on the schedule for the Bucks, but February seems to be the least difficult, with only the Celtics and Timberwolves (at home!) being the toughest games. A game each against the Nets and Magic, and the Bulls twice should fatten up Milwaukee’s win column.
• Milwaukee has thirteen back-to-backs in some form, a decrease from last years fifteen. Hopefully that will mean more rest for Milwaukee...although the Bucks haven’t ever seemed to benefit from extra off days.
• Milwaukee will not rack up nearly as many miles as the other teams, as they have the 5th lowest distance travelled in the league.
• If you want a chance to see the Fiserv Forum early, you’re in luck! Milwaukee will have five of their seven October games in the new arena.
• With the exception of last year, it seems like opening the season against the Hornets is a tradition; this will be third time in the last five years (per Chris Kroeger)

We will have more reactions soon, but leave yours in the comments. Tell us the game you are looking forward to the most. Personally, I might treat myself to a birthday gift of either the Sixers game or a LeBron visit.