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. Nevertheless, 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 taking part in 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 probably pay dividends if everyone stays on the identical web page as final season.

With all that being stated, Boston’s possibilities of success will come all the way down to the inner growth 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 will likely be a stronger duo in 12 months two.

You may go down the complete roster and provides the explanation why the Celtics could possibly be higher than final 12 months. I’m certain we’ll just do that in some unspecified time in the future within the useless of the offseason, however not immediately. In the present day, I wish to take a look at every month of the upcoming season so we will pick the important thing video games, potential traps, and underrated matchups.

October

Key Dates:

The season formally begins on October 22. Two days earlier, I might have turned 37 years younger. I at all times 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 towards the Knicks, Bucks and Pacers will be certain 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 can have a reputable defensive id. Beating them on opening night time gained’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 greatest?

Indiana is a enjoyable take a look at. They play quick. They play laborious. They’re younger, hungry and proficient. And so they have a rating to settle following their Japanese 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 ought to be contemporary sufficient to haven’t 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 essentially 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 certain.

November

Key dates:

November is a tough one. The Celtics have a complete of 14 video games in 30 days, with a wonderfully 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 towards the Warriors. Certain, the Warriors’ 2022 NBA Finals win will guarantee there’s some stage of elevated depth, however in fact, it’s as a result of this would be the first time Jayson Tatum faces off towards Steve Kerr after his mistreatment throughout his time with Crew USA in Paris.

I would like Tatum to have a monster night time. It doesn’t should be an explosive scoring efficiency, both…Actually, I feel I would favor 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 probably set the stage.

The Nov. 19 matchup towards the Cavaliers (which can be an NBA Cup recreation) will likely be attention-grabbing. Will probably be the primary matchup between these two groups because the Japanese Convention semi-finals.

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

Nevertheless, 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 sturdy displaying final season. Anthony Edwards will likely be a stern take a look at for Vacation and White, whereas will probably be attention-grabbing to see how Mazzulla appears to control the double-big pairing of Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert.

Moreover, Ty Lue’s workforce will even look completely different after the departure of Paul George. The Clippers have been energetic this offseason, including 5 new faces to the rotation:

Mo Bamba
Nic Batum
Kris Dunn
Derrick Jones Jr.
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 function on offense, Lue’s workforce could possibly be a severe risk. The Clippers’ strikes this summer time have made them a much more balanced roster.

Hardest recreation: I really feel like will probably be towards the Clippers. The Timberwolves will likely be a tricky take a look at for Boston. Having to return again the subsequent night time and face Lue’s roster, with some drained legs and sore muscular tissues, will likely be a giant take a look at for the Celtics.

December

Key Dates:

We additionally get a few firsts in December.

First recreation towards the Warmth.
First recreation towards the 76ers
And the primary recreation towards the Orlando Magic

All three of these matchups are attention-grabbing, and all three will likely be powerful nights.

We additionally get Marcus Sensible’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 Sensible matches inside that rotation.

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

A recreation towards 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 attention-grabbing matchup towards 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 understand how issues will play out when it comes to scheduling and whether or not the Celtics will likely be making that journey.

As soon as the common schedule ramps again up, Paolo Banchero can 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 have 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 loads. We’re attempting to make some noise. I feel we should always simply be a top-four, top-three workforce and have an opportunity to win the East.”

After which, you could have 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 observe the sport. This will likely be Boston’s first take a look at towards 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 relating to the Sixers and their dedication to 2 injury-prone stars. In reality, that’s not likely our concern, however it could possibly definitely have an effect on the Celtics’ bid to repeat final season’s success.

Hardest recreation: Christmas Day. The intense lights will likely be shining. The world will likely be watching. And the Sixers will likely be out to show their credentials as a real championship contender. The Celtics should convey their A-game in the event that they wish 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 take care of. They begin the month with highway video games towards the Timberwolves, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets.

Each Oklahoma and Denver will likely be attention-grabbing checks for Boston. The 2 Western Convention standouts play vastly completely 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 velocity and scoring versatility will likely be a tricky take a look at, particularly with Chet Holmgren spacing the ground. Thankfully for Boston, Porzingis ought to be again within the rotation by this level. How game-ready he’s and the kind of impression 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 very 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 means and are younger sufficient that inner growth may see them take one other leap.

I’m excited to see Zion Williamson towards Boston’s protection. The Kings are at all times an attention-grabbing 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 top of January as Mazzulla’s workforce is compelled 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 probably present up for each video games in Los Angeles, and Brown’s capacity to get scorching early could possibly be 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 another means.

February

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 vastly impression the place groups end towards the highest of the East. There are two video games towards Philly, two towards New York, and two towards Cleveland. If Boston can discover a strategy to come by way of all of these unscathed, their possibilities of securing the primary seed will take a serious step ahead.

I feel the Feb. 12 recreation towards the Spurs will likely be enjoyable. Victor Wembanyama will likely be coming to city proper earlier than the All-Star break. Often, groups start to take their foot off the fuel forward of a much-needed recharging interval. Nevertheless, if Wemby is on the courtroom, the Celtics should convey their A-game.

By now, Porzingis ought to be firmly again within the rotation and up-to-speed. That matchup towards Wemby will likely be a battle of the Unicorns — a battle that Porzingis obtained the higher of final season.

Dallas will likely 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 means.

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. Nevertheless, if Jimmy Butler and co. have began to construct some momentum, they’re not a workforce you’ll be able to 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 which you could by no means depend out an Erik Spoelstra workforce, no matter how sturdy or weak they give the impression of being on paper.

Two extra video games towards the Sixers and Knicks will even be intriguing. We’re on the level the place each groups will likely be tweaking their method to attempt to discover some gaps within the Celtics’ protection and determine methods to gradual them down. Assuming Porzingis (and the remainder of the roster is wholesome) this could possibly be the primary time New York and Philly face a full-strength Boston workforce — we may study loads in these video games.

I additionally suppose 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 another means.

March

Key Dates:

March 2. vs. Denver
March 6. vs. Philly
March 8. vs. Lakers
March 12. vs. OKC
March 14. vs. Miami
The whole 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 towards elite competitors, all of whom are playoff-level groups.

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

The rationale I feel this could possibly be probably the most necessary stretches for Boston is that there’s little or no room to get momentum again on monitor 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 necessary pivot level. Thankfully, the worst highway journey is already out of the best way. Nonetheless, a visit to Phoenix on March 26 will likely be attention-grabbing. 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 taking part in towards such a high-powered offense, particularly so late within the season. Hopefully, they flip up the defensive strain and shut down Mike Budenholzer’s offensive gameplan early and infrequently.

Hardest recreation: Lakers. Everyone knows why. And none of us would need it another means. Not less than this time, it’s on dwelling turf.

April

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 will likely be a tricky take a look at this late within the season, particularly in the event that they’re combating for seeding.

Phoenix at dwelling will likely be an attention-grabbing one, too. The ultimate two video games towards Charlotte should be approached with function. If seeding continues to be extensive open, the Celtics can’t afford to fall into any lure video games. Charles Lee can have a younger and creating 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 could possibly 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.