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 staff 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.

Outdoors of Porzingis, the Celtics are anticipated to enter the season at full energy. Baylor Scheierman is the one new face on the primary roster. He’ll undoubtedly combat 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 season, a transfer that can doubtless pay dividends if all people stays on the identical web page as final season.

With all that being mentioned, Boston’s probabilities of success will come all the way down to the interior 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’ll be able to go down all the roster and provides explanation why the Celtics could possibly be higher than final 12 months. I’m positive we’ll just do that in some unspecified time in the future within the useless of the offseason, however not in the present day. At this time, I wish to have 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

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 offers me an superior present by beginning the season round my birthday.

Mazzulla’s staff 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 sure that there’s no grace interval for the reigning NBA champions.

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

I’ve nonetheless obtained my questions concerning the Bucks. Sure, they added Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright through the summer season, however the greater 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 check. They play quick. They play laborious. They’re younger, hungry and proficient. They usually 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 needs to be recent sufficient to don’t have any concern over potential entice 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

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 may 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 degree of elevated depth, however in reality, 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 Group USA in Paris.

I would like Tatum to have a monster night time. It doesn’t must be an explosive scoring efficiency, both…In reality, 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 doubtless set the stage.

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

Cleveland will likely be a special check than final season because of the arrival of Kenny Atkinson as their head coach. He’ll doubtless have them enjoying 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 staff 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 check for Vacation and White, whereas will probably be fascinating to see how Mazzulla seems to control the double-big pairing of Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert.

Moreover, Ty Lue’s staff may also look completely different after the departure of Paul George. The Clippers have been lively 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 staff. If Kawhi Leonard can keep wholesome and step right into a (much more) closely featured position on offense, Lue’s staff could possibly be a critical menace. The Clippers’ strikes this summer season 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 check for Boston. Having to come back again the subsequent night time and face Lue’s roster, with some drained legs and sore muscle tissue, will likely be a giant check 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 fascinating, and all three will likely be robust 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 staff 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 residence 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 fascinating 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 know the way issues will play out by way of scheduling and whether or not the Celtics will likely be making that journey.

As soon as the common schedule ramps again up, Paolo Banchero may 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 mentioned. “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 might be gonna assist us loads. We’re attempting to make some noise. I believe we must always simply be a top-four, top-three staff and have an opportunity to win the East.”

After which, you may 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 check towards the new-look Sixers. Our first style of what Paul George brings to Nick Nurse’s staff 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 fact, that’s not likely our concern, however it might definitely have an effect on the Celtics’ bid to repeat final season’s success.

Hardest recreation: Christmas Day. The brilliant 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 cope with. They begin the month with highway video games towards the Timberwolves, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets.

Each Oklahoma and Denver will likely be fascinating exams 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 staff. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a top-10 participant, is main the cost. His tempo, processing velocity and scoring versatility will likely be a tricky check, particularly with Chet Holmgren spacing the ground. Fortuitously 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. Dropping 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 may face the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans because the West Coast heads East. Each groups are spectacular in their very own method and are younger sufficient that inside 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 fascinating opponent in that they’re both going to get blown out or pressure 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 staff is pressured to run a gauntlet of potential NBA Finals opponents.

After all, the Lakers recreation is the one that ought to have us all excited. Tatum will doubtless present up for each video games in Los Angeles, and Brown’s means to get sizzling early could possibly 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 method.

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 significantly affect 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 technique to come via all of these unscathed, their probabilities of securing the primary seed will take a serious step ahead.

I believe 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. Normally, groups start to take their foot off the gasoline forward of a much-needed recharging interval. Nevertheless, if Wemby is on the courtroom, the Celtics should convey their A-game.

By now, Porzingis needs 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 offers 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 method.

It’s additionally round this level within the season when the Warmth normally begins choosing 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 staff you possibly can take flippantly. After all, there are some questions concerning the Warmth’s present roster development and whether or not they’re able to being a pressure within the East.

Nonetheless, if there’s one factor I do know, it’s which you can by no means depend out an Erik Spoelstra staff, no matter how sturdy or weak they give the impression of being on paper.

Two extra video games towards the Sixers and Knicks may also be intriguing. We’re on the level the place each groups will likely be tweaking their method to try to discover some gaps within the Celtics’ protection and work out methods to sluggish 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 staff — we may be taught loads in these video games.

I additionally suppose that one in every of Boston’s most pivotal stretches begins within the ultimate week of Feb and flows into March…

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

March

Key Dates:

March 2. vs. Denver
March 6. vs. Philly
March 8. vs. Lakers
March 12. vs. OKC
March 14. vs. Miami
All the 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 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 rationale I believe this could possibly be one of the crucial essential stretches for Boston is that there’s little or no room to get momentum again on observe if the Celtics immediately discover themselves on a shedding streak or the journey has slowed them down.

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

I’m curious how the Celtics will deal with enjoying 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 sometimes.

Hardest recreation: Lakers. Everyone knows why. And none of us would need it some other method. A minimum of this time, it’s on residence turf.

April

Key Dates:

April. 2 vs. Miami

April. 4 vs. PHX

April. 13 vs. Charlotte

A pleasant quick run to the end line in April will see the Celtics play 5 residence video games out of seven. Miami will likely be a tricky check this late within the season, particularly in the event that they’re preventing for seeding.

Phoenix at residence will likely be an fascinating one, too. The ultimate two video games towards Charlotte should be approached with goal. If seeding remains to be huge open, the Celtics can’t afford to fall into any entice video games. Charles Lee may have a younger and growing staff at his disposal, and his teaching ought to guarantee they’re a tough out for whoever they face (assuming everyone seems to be wholesome.).

Hardest recreation: Miami at residence. Spoelstra’s staff could possibly be extremely motivated this late within the season, and that would make them a harmful opponent.

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