Breaking down the Celtics schedule

We’ve all seen it by now. On Thursday, the NBA launched the Boston Celtics schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season.

Joe Mazzulla’s workforce will start the brand new season with out Kristaps Porzingis, who continues to rehab following surgical procedure. An official timeline hasn’t been set for his return. Nonetheless, the widespread consensus appears to be late December or early January.

Exterior of Porzingis, the Celtics are anticipated to enter the season at full energy. Baylor Scheierman is the one new face on the principle roster. He’ll undoubtedly struggle to earn some enjoying time all through his rookie season however will face an uphill battle attempting to crack right into a championship-winning rotation.

The Celtics have favored continuity this summer time, a transfer that may possible pay dividends if all people stays on the identical web page as final season.

With all that being stated, Boston’s possibilities of success will come right down to the inner improvement of the roster. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can nonetheless add wrinkles to their recreation. Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard are younger sufficient to proceed enhancing. Derrick White and Jrue Vacation can be a stronger duo in 12 months two.

You possibly can go down the whole roster and provides the reason why the Celtics might be higher than final 12 months. I’m positive we’ll do exactly that in some unspecified time in the future within the lifeless of the offseason, however not right this moment. Right now, I need to take a look at every month of the upcoming season so we are able to pick the important thing video games, potential traps, and underrated matchups.

October

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Key Dates:

The season formally begins on October 22. Two days earlier, I might have turned 37 years younger. I all the time love how the NBA provides me an superior reward by beginning the season round my birthday.

Mazzulla’s workforce will play 5 video games within the opening 10 days as they get eased into issues earlier than the schedule picks up tempo. Nonetheless, matchups in opposition to the Knicks, Bucks and Pacers will be sure that there’s no grace interval for the reigning NBA champions.

All three of these groups will come into the season believing they’ll problem for a championship. New York added Mikal Bridges this summer time, constructing on the addition of OG Anunoby final season. They are going to be one of many hardest groups within the East and could have a professional defensive identification. Beating them on opening night time received’t be straightforward.

I’ve nonetheless obtained my questions in regards to the Bucks. Sure, they added Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright through the summer time, however the larger questions on their roster proceed to linger. Can Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard determine it out? Can Brook Lopez proceed to anchor their protection? And can we ever see Khris Middleton bounce again to his finest?

Indiana is a enjoyable take a look at. They play quick. They play laborious. They’re younger, hungry and gifted. And so they have a rating to settle following their Jap Convention Finals loss.

In between these video games, Boston has journeys to Washington and Detroit. Each of these video games ought to finish in wins. The Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons are rebuilding groups. Boston needs to be contemporary sufficient to don’t have any concern over potential lure video games, and the journey shouldn’t be sufficient of an element right here, both.

Hardest recreation: The Milwaukee Bucks. I really feel like they’ve probably the most to show out of those 5 groups after their second straight first-round exit final season. They’ll have this recreation circled on their calendar for positive.

November

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Key dates:

November is a tough one. The Celtics have a complete of 14 video games in 30 days, with a superbly even cut up of highway and residential video games. In addition they have their NBA cup schedule sprinkled into the month, the place they are going to face the Atlanta Hawks, Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls.

In case you missed it, Tim Sheils and I shared ideas on Boston’s favorable NBA Cup schedule earlier this week.

My first main recreation of the month is the Nov. 6 matchup in opposition to the Warriors. Certain, the Warriors’ 2022 NBA Finals win will guarantee there’s some degree of elevated depth, however in reality, it’s as a result of this would be the first time Jayson Tatum faces off in opposition to Steve Kerr after his mistreatment throughout his time with Staff USA in Paris.

I would like Tatum to have a monster night time. It doesn’t must be an explosive scoring efficiency, both…In truth, I believe I would like a triple-double with one thing like 29 factors, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, simply to show that he’s able to a lot greater than standing within the nook.

Boston will face the Bucks for the second time on Nov. 10, and the end result of October’s recreation will possible set the stage.

The Nov. 19 matchup in opposition to the Cavaliers (which can be an NBA Cup recreation) can be fascinating. Will probably be the primary matchup between these two groups because the Jap Convention semi-finals.

Cleveland can be a special take a look at than final season as a result of arrival of Kenny Atkinson as their head coach. He’ll possible have them enjoying a extra offensive recreation and will unlock the backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. That matchup received’t be a stroll within the park for the Celtics.

Nonetheless, the hardest interval comes late within the month when the Celtics will face the Timberwolves and Clippers in a back-to-back on the TD Backyard.

Chris Finch’s workforce is a real contender out West and can undoubtedly look to construct on their robust exhibiting final season. Anthony Edwards can be a stern take a look at for Vacation and White, whereas it will likely be fascinating to see how Mazzulla appears to be like to govern the double-big pairing of Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert.

Moreover, Ty Lue’s workforce may also look totally different after the departure of Paul George. The Clippers have been lively this offseason, including 5 new faces to the rotation:

1. Mo Bamba
2. Nic Batum
3. Kris Dunn
4. Derrick Jones Jr.
5. Kevin Porter Jr.

I’m anticipating the Clippers to be a vastly improved defensive workforce. If Kawhi Leonard can keep wholesome and step right into a (much more) closely featured position on offense, Lue’s workforce might be a severe menace. The Clippers’ strikes this summer time have made them a much more balanced roster.

Hardest recreation: I really feel like it will likely be in opposition to the Clippers. The Timberwolves can be a troublesome take a look at for Boston. Having to come back again the subsequent night time and face Lue’s roster, with some drained legs and sore muscle groups, can be a giant take a look at for the Celtics.

December

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Key Dates:

We additionally get a few firsts in December.

• First recreation in opposition to the Warmth.
• First recreation in opposition to the 76ers
• And the primary recreation in opposition to the Orlando Magic

All three of these matchups are fascinating, and all three can be robust nights.

We additionally get Marcus Good’s (hopeful) return when the Memphis Grizzlies come to city on Dec. 7. I’m actually intrigued to see how a wholesome Grizzlies workforce performs and the place Good suits inside that rotation.

Anyway, December begins off with a troublesome week. The Celtics will go back-to-back in opposition to the Cavaliers and Warmth on the first and 2nd. There’s some journey concerned there, too. Boston can be on the highway for his or her recreation in opposition to the Cavs earlier than heading again dwelling to face the Warmth.

A recreation in opposition to Detroit is sandwiched between two off days earlier than one other back-to-back sees the Celtics face the Bucks for the third time and an fascinating matchup in opposition to Memphis.

That second back-to-back is adopted by a decent-sized hole, throughout which the rest of the NBA Cup will play out in Las Vegas. I’m not going to touch upon that as a result of proper now, we don’t know the way issues will play out by way of scheduling and whether or not the Celtics can be making that journey.

As soon as the common schedule ramps again up, Paolo Banchero could have the chance to place his cash the place his mouth is after claiming the Magic have a shot at incomes the primary seed subsequent season throughout a latest look on ESPN’s First Take.

“We really feel like we’re proper there,” Banchero stated. “We’re proper there with all these groups…We had been proper there final 12 months. We obtained higher this 12 months. I obtained higher. All of us obtained higher. We obtained some new items which can be gonna assist us quite a bit. We’re attempting to make some noise. I believe we should always simply be a top-four, top-three workforce and have an opportunity to win the East.”

After which, you have got the Christmas Day recreation. The marquee matchup. Two rivals go head-to-head whereas we unbutton our pants, pour out some liquor and get into our comfiest chair to look at the sport. This can be Boston’s first take a look at in opposition to the new-look Sixers. Our first style of what Paul George brings to Nick Nurse’s workforce and whether or not his presence goes to assist bridge the hole between the 2 sides.

I’ve been vocal about my considerations concerning the Sixers and their dedication to 2 injury-prone stars. In reality, that’s probably not our concern, however it will probably actually have an effect on the Celtics’ bid to repeat final season’s success.

Hardest recreation: Christmas Day. The brilliant lights can be shining. The world can be watching. And the Sixers can be out to show their credentials as a real championship contender. The Celtics should deliver their A-game in the event that they need to benefit from the festivities to the fullest extent.

January

Key Dates:

Issues begin to warmth up in January. The Celtics have two separate West Coast highway swings to deal with. They begin the month with highway video games in opposition to the Timberwolves, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets.

Each Oklahoma and Denver can be fascinating exams for Boston. The 2 Western Convention standouts play vastly totally different types of basketball however proceed to be extremely profitable.

The Thunder is a younger, hungry and well-coached workforce. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a top-10 participant, is main the cost. His tempo, processing pace and scoring versatility can be a troublesome take a look at, particularly with Chet Holmgren spacing the ground. Thankfully for Boston, Porzingis needs to be again within the rotation by this level. How game-ready he’s and the kind of affect he’ll make stay to be seen.

Denver’s offseason has been considerably perplexing. Shedding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free company was a giant blow. The actual fact the franchise has misplaced two high-level glue guys in two years has additionally raised some eyebrows. The addition of Russell Westbrook may make or break their probabilities this season.

As soon as the Celtics return to the East Coast, they are going to face the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans because the West Coast heads East. Each groups are spectacular in their very own approach and are younger sufficient that inside improvement may see them take one other leap.

I’m excited to see Zion Williamson in opposition to Boston’s protection. The Kings are all the time an fascinating opponent in that they’re both going to get blown out or power the sport proper to the wire.

Later within the month, one other monster West Coast highway will swing. The Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, and Mavericks will all be ready for the Celtics towards the tip of January as Mazzulla’s workforce is pressured to run a gauntlet of potential NBA Finals opponents.

In fact, the Lakers recreation is the one that ought to have us all excited. Tatum will possible present up for each video games in Los Angeles, and Brown’s capacity to get scorching early might be very important as we get our first style of a JJ Redick-led Purple and Gold roster.

Hardest recreation: Lakers. Everyone knows why. And none of us would need it some other approach.

February

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Key Dates:

• Feb. 2 + 20 vs. Sixers
• Feb. 6 vs. Mavericks
• Feb. 8 + 23 vs. Knicks
• Feb. 12 vs. San Antonio Spurs

February feels prefer it may significantly affect the place groups end towards the highest of the East. There are two video games in opposition to Philly, two in opposition to New York, and two in opposition to Cleveland. If Boston can discover a option to come by means of all of these unscathed, their possibilities of securing the primary seed will take a significant step ahead.

I believe the Feb. 12 recreation in opposition to the Spurs can be enjoyable. Victor Wembanyama can be coming to city proper earlier than the All-Star break. Normally, groups start to take their foot off the gasoline forward of a much-needed recharging interval. Nonetheless, if Wemby is on the court docket, the Celtics should deliver their A-game.

By now, Porzingis needs to be firmly again within the rotation and up-to-speed. That matchup in opposition to Wemby can be a battle of the Unicorns — a battle that Porzingis obtained the higher of final season.

Dallas can be heading again to the TD Backyard for the primary time because the NBA Finals. The hope is that Boston provides them one other beatdown and reminds them of the way it feels to lose in entrance of the Celtics fanbase earlier than sending them on their merry approach.

It’s additionally round this level within the season when the Warmth often begins selecting up some steam. I’ve prevented mentioning them till this level. Nonetheless, if Jimmy Butler and co. have began to construct some momentum, they’re not a workforce you possibly can take flippantly. In fact, there are some questions in regards to the Warmth’s present roster building and whether or not they’re able to being a power within the East.

Nonetheless, if there’s one factor I do know, it’s that you would be able to by no means depend out an Erik Spoelstra workforce, no matter how robust or weak they give the impression of being on paper.

Two extra video games in opposition to the Sixers and Knicks may also be intriguing. We’re on the level the place each groups can be tweaking their method to try to discover some gaps within the Celtics’ protection and determine methods to sluggish them down. Assuming Porzingis (and the remainder of the roster is wholesome) this might be the primary time New York and Philly face a full-strength Boston workforce — we may study quite a bit in these video games.

I additionally assume that one in all Boston’s most pivotal stretches begins within the remaining week of Feb and flows into March…

Hardest recreation: Lakers. Everyone knows why. And none of us would need it some other approach.

March

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Key Dates:

• March 2. vs. Denver
• March 6. vs. Philly
• March 8. vs. Lakers
• March 12. vs. OKC
• March 14. vs. Miami
• The complete highway swing March. 23 – 31

Shortly after the Celtics schedule was introduced on Thursday, Tim Sheils and I pinpointed March as a possible swing month. The schedule begins with some grueling video games in opposition to elite competitors, all of whom are playoff-level groups.

There’s a slight reprieve in the course of the month — no disrespect to Brooklyn. Earlier than heading out on the highway for the ultimate West Coast journey of the season.

The explanation I believe this might be one of the crucial vital stretches for Boston is that there’s little or no room to get momentum again on observe if the Celtics all of a sudden discover themselves on a shedding streak or the journey has slowed them down.

The ultimate 5 video games in March are an vital pivot level. Thankfully, the worst highway journey is already out of the best way. Nonetheless, a visit to Phoenix on March 26 can be fascinating. The Suns have plugged their ball-handling hole this summer time, with Tyus Jones projected to be their beginning guard to start the season.

I’m curious how the Celtics will deal with enjoying in opposition to such a high-powered offense, particularly so late within the season. Hopefully, they flip up the defensive stress and shut down Mike Budenholzer’s offensive gameplan early and infrequently.

Hardest recreation: Lakers. Everyone knows why. And none of us would need it some other approach. No less than this time, it’s on dwelling turf.

April

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Key Dates:

April. 2 vs. Miami

April. 4 vs. PHX

April. 13 vs. Charlotte

A pleasant brief run to the end line in April will see the Celtics play 5 dwelling video games out of seven. Miami can be a troublesome take a look at this late within the season, particularly in the event that they’re combating for seeding.

Phoenix at dwelling can be an fascinating one, too. The ultimate two video games in opposition to Charlotte should be approached with goal. If seeding remains to be large open, the Celtics can’t afford to fall into any lure video games. Charles Lee could have a younger and growing workforce at his disposal, and his teaching ought to guarantee they’re a troublesome out for whoever they face (assuming everyone seems to be wholesome.).

Hardest recreation: Miami at dwelling. Spoelstra’s workforce might be extremely motivated this late within the season, and that might make them a harmful opponent.

CelticsBlog graciously allowed this text to be cross-posted from my “Celtics Chronicle” publication.