The Milwaukee Bucks have suffered back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and their record now sits at 8-7 on the season. 

Those consecutive losses were the culmination of a brutal stretch of games for Milwaukee, where they played seven games in 11 days, with no more than a single day off in between. Two home stretches and two road trips were mixed in through those seven games, and that combination of travel and breakneck pace basketball surely wore the Bucks down.

That's why head coach Doc Rivers welcomed the two days off his team received following their loss to Cleveland. 

Rest Days a "Big Lining," Not Just Silver

When asked if the two rest days were a "silver lining," Rivers replied (via Bucks), "That's a big lining, I don't know if that's a silver lining. I'm glad we have two days off, for sure. Tomorrow, we won't do anything. This team needs a break." 

Rivers mentioned that the team had a scheduled "day of service," meaning they would be doing charity work in the Milwaukee community, on the first of their two off-days. Rivers was ecstatic that his team would have a chance to not only do some good, but also give themselves a mental break to reset. 

"We're going to go out into the community and do some work, get our minds off of basketball, and get our minds on helping people. That's probably the best medicine," Rivers said. 

They have a busy schedule ahead of them after their brief rest period as well. Starting with their Nov. 20 game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee will play three games with one day of rest in between again before they take off on a road trip to Miami, then New York, before flying back home to host the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 29. 

NBA Scheduling

The NBA does not take scheduling lightly, with back-to-backs and constant road trips becoming a standard of the league. The Bucks have clearly been no exception to this policy, and the opportunity for them to host three games in a row is almost as much of a luxury as having two days off altogether. 

The team is also still reeling from the brief loss of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will miss 1-2 weeks with a groin strain. In light of the absence of their superstar and their back-to-back losses, morale may be low in the Bucks locker room. 

There will be plenty of flights in Milwaukee's future, but at least they had a brief respite at home. Rivers is certainly grateful for it.