Nets Edge Bucks in Battle of NBA Eastern Conference Favorites

After the Brooklyn Nets acquired James Harden in last week’s mega trade, they supplanted the Milwaukee Bucks as the favorite to win the NBA Eastern Conference. On January 18th, the two teams played each other for the first time this season.

This one came down to the wire, with the Nets coming out on top 125-123. Harden scored 34 points with 12 assists, and Kevin Durant added 30 points. Kyrie Irving, the other member of the Big Three, did not play due to for reasons unclear, but has rejoined the team. All five starters for the Nets scored in double figures. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points and 12 rebounds. It was the fourth straight win for Brooklyn (9-6); Milwaukee is now 9-5. Brooklyn will play at Cleveland January 20th and 22nd, while MIlwaukee hosts the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on the 21st.

We’re sure the NBA is more than happy with Brooklyn becoming a serious contender to reach the NBA Finals. After all, the Knicks have been terrible for years (although they haven’t been too bad this season, at least not yet) and the Nets have been one and done in the playoffs the last two years. They are no doubt licking their chops over the prospect of a Lakers-Brooklyn Finals. The problem with assembling a couple of super teams, usually in big markets, is that a large part of the league becomes marginalized and has not much hope of ever bringing a title home. The NBA brass would have nightmares at the prospect of a Utah–Charlotte or Memphis–Indiana NBA Finals. But if it’s all about big market teams, then the league could also have a problem with fans in other places losing interest. NBA tickets are not cheap (when we had fans pre-Covid and will in the future), and the all important TV ratings affect revenue.