For the next two weeks, the Brooklyn Nets will get plenty of chances to accumulate home wins and strengthen their playoff positioning.

Then one of the toughest schedules in the league kicks in during the final month as the Nets attempt to reach postseason for the first time in four years.

First up is a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs, who are concluding their annual Rodeo Road Trip with a visit to Brooklyn on Monday.

The Nets will play six of their next eight games at Barclays Center, where they are 14-4 in their last 18 games despite losing three of four. After Monday, seven straight are against opponents currently under .500.

After hosting Detroit on March 11, the degree of difficulty will increase. The Nets will embark on a seven-game trip, with six games against winning teams, and then face Boston, Milwaukee (twice), Toronto and Indiana before ending the season against Miami.

Brooklyn (31-30) is 4-7 in its last 11 games and returns home with a 1 1/2-game lead over seventh place Detroit in the Eastern Conference. The Nets also are two up on eighth-place Charlotte, three up on Orlando and 3 1/2 games ahead of Miami.

The Nets are coming off a stellar 40-point showing by D'Angelo Russell in Saturday's 117-115 win at Charlotte. Russell matched wits with Kemba Walker and tied a career high for points, while the Nets blew a 19-point lead before making plays on both ends down the stretch. >> Read more

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