Nets schedule shifts from road back-to-backs to home stands

After playing four games in five days --winning two of them-- the Nets return to Barclays Center, arguably the worst stretch of their schedule complete.

Of the Nets first 17 games, 11 were played on the road. Moreover, of those 17, eight of those were back-to-backs. The Nets are the only team who hasn't played two straight at home. (The Cavs are in the middle of their first two-game homestand.) That changes this week.

The Nets will have their first homestand this week, playing the Nuggets Tuesday and Knicks Thursday. Of their next four games, three will be played in Brooklyn as well as nine of their next 12.  Overall, in December, the Nets play nine of 14 games at home, including three homestands of two games each and one of three games surrounding the Christmas Day game vs. the Bulls. January features a four-game homestand with days off between each of them .

The only rough stretch that could be considered worse than what the Nets have already experienced is a seven game road trip in late Februrary/early March that includes two back-to-backs and five straight games in the Mountain and Pacific time zones. By then, the Nets should have some chemistry.

The other question, of course, is how many bodies will be available. Next milestone for Brooklyn comes Monday when Deron Williams ankle is re-evaluated by the Nets medical staff.

• Brooklyn Nets 2014 Schedule - ESPN
• Smooth(er) sailing ahead for Nets? - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game