NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows

Milwaukee Bucks:

Offense: (113.4) 3rd
Defense: (101.6) 1st
Net: (Plus +11.7) 1st

Games Week 12 (3-1): Won vs. Warriors: 107-98, Kings: 127-106, Blazers: 122-101, Lost vs. Spurs: 104-126
Games Week 13 (3 games): Tues vs. Knicks | Thurs vs. Celtics | Sat at Nets

The Bucks left the postseason shattered over losing to the Raptors after leading 2-0. If there is a direct correlation to draw here – it’s that same lack of fear and the absolute killer look in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s eyes. They may have lost out on Christmas Day to another equally brilliant superstar and his squad as Joel Embiid got the best of the match.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

And yet, something tells me the Bucks don’t have the same respect for the 76ers as they do teams like the Lakers and Clippers. That fact more than anything should have the East (and even those LA squads) more than a little concerned.

In terms of beating sub .500 teams, certainly the Bucks have benefitted by the schedule. That benefit continues as 10 of their next 14 games (and seven of their next nine) are also against the lower tier.

What this means, of course, is that Milwaukee will face the toughest segment of their schedule in the stretch when 15 of their final 25 games are facing the elite tier. Even among that sub .500 grouping three of those matches feature clubs on the periphery such as the Nets twice and the Suns who could still be vying for a playoff berth given the nature of the bottom chase group in the West.

It’s doubtful this will phase the Bucks and some might say it behooves them to face better talent in preparation for the playoffs. It’s more a testament to the Bucks dominance that I’m searching for any little thing to cite as a potential concern.

That wraps up week 12 of the NBA Power Rankings – coming next week where teams sit at the halfway mark.