The Brooklyn Nets face a critical month ahead with 11 games scheduled in December, beginning with a home game against the Charlotte Hornets. Currently holding a 3-16 record as the season approaches its quarter mark, the Nets struggle near the bottom of the league standings. Only the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans have worse records, signaling continued challenges on the court.
December offers the Nets an important chance to secure their first home victory this season, with seven of their 11 games set at the Barclays Center. The opening game versus the Hornets stands out as a key opportunity since the Nets fell by 19 points in their meeting at the season’s start. Following that, Brooklyn will face the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz back-to-back on December 3 and 4; both teams currently have losing records, which may give the Nets an edge.
Brooklyn’s schedule also includes a December 6 matchup against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans before a break until December 12. After the hiatus, the Nets take on the Dallas Mavericks on the road. They then return home for three consecutive games against strong opponents: the Milwaukee Bucks on December 14, Miami Heat on December 18, and Toronto Raptors on December 21. The final games of the month see Brooklyn on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves before a home game versus the Golden State Warriors on December 29.
Despite a recent four-game losing streak in which the Nets have struggled offensively, the defense has limited opponents to under 120 points each game. This trend suggests Brooklyn will continue their focus on rebuilding while also seeking offensive improvements given the relatively moderate difficulty of December’s matchups.
A player to watch is rookie forward Danny Wolf, who has seen increased playing time due to Michael Porter Jr.’s absence. Wolf impressed in late November by scoring 22 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists against Milwaukee. Though Porter Jr. is expected back soon, Wolf has showcased potential and earned a chance to remain in the rotation.
Prediction for Brooklyn’s December record is 3-8, reflecting the team’s ongoing struggles and the challenging nature of their opponents. However, the Nets’ home-heavy schedule could provide opportunities for breakthroughs as they develop their young roster moving forward.
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