Sure, each sport issues. Sure, the staff will say that they’re not trying forward and treating each opponent on a night-to-night foundation. And sure, the Celtics play 41 residence video games and 41 highway video games and each weighs precisely the identical on the finish of the common season.
Nonetheless, it’s pure to group issues collectively. “If I can get via this week, I’ll be OK.” For groups heading out west on the highway after which subsequently coming again east for an prolonged homestand, you possibly can’t blame them for pondering of an NBA’s 82-game schedule in manageable chunks.
CelticsBlog’s Jack Simone previewed some of the schedule’s highlights, however let’s dig a bit of deeper into what the Celtics will likely be going through in two months:
76ers, at Warmth, at Magic, at Bulls
After kicking off the common season in opposition to a division rival, the Celtics instantly hit the highway for three-games-in-four-nights for a superb litmus take a look at of how properly coaching camp went. PREDICTION: 3-1
Cavaliers, Wizards, at Cavaliers, Bulls, at Knicks, at Grizzlies, Pistons, Nuggets, at Pistons, Thunder
The Celtics early schedule is peppered with two sport units. Double conferences with Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit present a superb take a look at of how properly the staff can regulate from one sport to a different. Two weekend home-and-away back-to-backs will give us a touch of how head coach Ime Udoka plans on resting Al Horford and even Robert Williams. That 10-game stretch additionally features a November seventh date with Memphis adopted by the entire league not playing November 8th for the mid-term elections. Get to the polls, of us. PREDICTION: 7-3
at Hawks, at Pelicans, at Bulls
A really accommodating roadie right here. Sweep, make an announcement, and we’re on a roll. PREDICTION: 3-0
Mavericks, Kings, Wizards, Hornets, Warmth, Warmth
Twelve days in Boston throughout Thanksgiving weekend and the Celtics ought to feast. There’s a gathering with Luka Doncic and a revenge sport of kinds with Dallas beating Boston on KG Day final season and a back-to-back rematch of the Jap Convention Finals vs. Miami. PREDICTON: 5-1
at Nets, at Raptors, at Suns, at Warriors, at Clippers, at Lakers
Right here’s the primary gauntlet. That east-to-west highway journey is bookended by back-to-backs and naturally, a Saturday night time go to to the Bay. The Celtics have historically made an announcement on this winter sojourn — for higher or for worse. Get a break up and benefit from the holidays again in Boston. PREDICTION: 3-3
Magic, Magic, Pacers, Timberwolves, Bucks, Rockets, Clippers
As many have noted, this seven-game, eighteen-day homestand represents the longest one in fourty-three years. There’s the marquee Christmas sport in opposition to the Bucks and a send-off to 20222 internet hosting the Clippers, however the Celtics have an actual probability to shut out the yr on a excessive word. PREDICTION: 6-1
at Nuggets, at Thunder, at Mavericks, at Spurs, Bulls, Pelicans, at Nets, at Hornets, at Hornets, Warriors, at Raptors, at Magic, at Warmth
Time to pay the piper. After that prolonged keep at residence, Boston embarks on a January the place ten of their fifteen video games are away from TD Backyard. It’s not precisely a assassin’s row with only one back-to-back on faucet, however by this level of the season, complacency can set in. PREDICTION: 7-6
Knicks, Lakers, Nets, Suns, at Pistons, 76ers, Hornets, Grizzlies, at Bucks, Pistons
That is proper when Boston picked it up final yr. Main as much as All-Star Weekend (and the commerce deadline), the Celtics play eight of their subsequent ten video games at residence and are on nationwide tv seven instances in February. It’s an announcement month for positive. PREDICTION: 8-2
at Pacers, at 76ers, at Knicks, Cavaliers, Nets, Knicks, at Cavaliers, Path Blazers
The slog of the common season sees the Celtics puddle-jumping across the Jap Convention as they attempt to solidify their place within the standings. Once more, they cleaned up in March final yr, however this may be a superb probability to relaxation and recuperate earlier than the playoffs. PREDICTION: 6-2
at Hawks, at Rockets, at Timberwolves, at Path Blazers, at Jazz, at Kings
Fingers crossed that the staff doesn’t want a protracted highway journey to treatment any late season strife. Deal with a reasonably cupcake schedule as a enterprise journey and end sturdy. PREDICTION: 5-1
Pacers, Spurs, at Wizards, at Bucks, Jazz, at 76ers, Raptors, Raptors, Hawks
Hopefully, these ultimate six video games will likely be largely inconsequential to shut out the yr. With solely 13 back-to-backs all yr, the veterans might use a bit of relaxation earlier than the postseason. PREDICTION: 6-3
Can the Celtics contact sixty wins subsequent season? Vegas has Boston pegged at 55.5 wins for the yr, the best of any staff within the league. I’ve obtained them optimistically hitting 59, an eight-game enchancment from final season’s 51-31 squad that closed the yr 33-10 at a 63-win tempo.
