Roughly two months in the past, the Celtics returned to the top of the basketball world. Roughly two months from now, they’ll start their quest to remain atop the mountain.
No crew has repeated because the Warriors in 2017-18. It’s not straightforward, however that doesn’t imply it will possibly’t be finished. This Celtics crew is extra outfitted than most, given its expertise, chemistry and stability. Solely time will inform.
It’s an extended journey earlier than the playoffs, and it begins in October. The Celtics revealed their regular-season schedule Thursday, and there are a lot of intriguing video games on the horizon.
Right here’s one individual’s opinion on the ten most compelling regular-season matchups. You’re entitled to your personal. Be happy to weigh in under. Which video games have you ever fired up?
(Honorable point out: Bucks, Rockets, Cavaliers, Warmth, Suns).
10) March 29, Spurs on the street
Victor Wembanyama is must-see TV. The person goes to win MVP someday within the not-so-distant future. He must also lead the Spurs to a title in some unspecified time in the future within the more-distant future. Regardless, he’s electrifying to observe, and any likelihood to take action is a deal with. Plus, Steph Curry and LeBron James will most likely be on the Spurs by then (not really).
9) Nov. 24, Timberwolves at house
I nonetheless assume the Nuggets are the most effective crew within the West, however the hole is closing by the day. Jamal Murray regarded fairly human within the Olympics, whereas Anthony Edwards is getting extra deadly by the day. This might be a Finals preview.
8) Oct. 30, Pacers on the street
This can be a sneaky good one. The Celtics swept the Pacers, however the sequence was fairly darn shut. Indiana might be fired up, and the house crowd might be loud. It wouldn’t shock me in any respect if the Pacers steal this one.
7) Dec. 7, Grizzlies at house
It was pretty to see Celtics followers welcome Marcus Good again final yr, however watching him sit on the sideline was a bit anticlimactic. Hopefully he will get to play this time round. We are able to all collectively say “No! No! Sure! Oh wait…” when he rises up for a contested off-balance 3 and splashes it. Must be enjoyable.
TOP CELTICS SCHEDULE NOTESRing evening: 10/22 vs NYKHome on Xmas (PHI), NYE (TOR)Cup house gms: 11/12 (ATL), 11/19 (CLE)
42k journey miles (East avg: 40k)13 B2Bs (6=no journey)Longest homestand: 13 days/7 gmsLongest journey: 11 days/6 gms8 contemporary gms, 9 drained gms pic.twitter.com/LX6o4Cj2a6
— Marc D’Amico (@Marc_DAmico) August 15, 2024
6) March 2, Nuggets at house
The Celtics and Nuggets are the most effective groups within the NBA, and you’ll’t persuade me in any other case. I really like watching these two go face to face. A daily-season win isn’t crucial, however it could be a pleasant perk for the Celtics after Nikola Jokic Jokic-ed his approach to two towards Boston final yr.
5) Jan. 23, Lakers on the street
Celtics-Lakers nonetheless delivers, each time. There’s nothing fairly prefer it in sports activities, and you’ll really feel the historical past each time they go face to face. Plus, I feel the Lakers will bounce again this yr and contend earlier than shedding to the Nuggets or Wolves within the Western Convention Semifinals. We will see.
4) Feb. 6, Mavericks at house
You would argue the primary Celtics-Mavericks rematch might be extra compelling, however I’d personally go along with the matchup at TD Backyard. It’ll convey again some previous reminiscences. Nope, not Kyrie Irving ones. Keep in mind when the Celtics received the championship on the Backyard? That was fairly an evening.
3) Nov. 6, Warriors at house
Sure, the boos for Steve Kerr will echo all through TD Backyard. Who cares? However this can be a likelihood for Jayson Tatum to go off and show that he deserved higher. Tatum is simply too elegant to offer Kerr a glance, however hey, perhaps he’ll get fiery within the warmth of the second.
2) Dec. 25, 76ers at house
I can consider few issues higher for a younger child than opening up presents, having fun with time with family and friends, then watching the Celtics beat the 76ers on Christmas Day. The NBA’s finished a pleasant job ramping up the Christmas Day video games and making it really feel just like the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day. It’s a wonderful custom.
1) Oct. 22, Knicks at house
The common season begins off with a bang (perhaps even a Mike Breen “BANG!” if we’re fortunate). It is going to be an emotional evening, because the Celtics get their championship rings and the Knicks attempt to spoil the night. For my part, these are the 2 finest groups within the East. In the event that they each keep wholesome, I anticipate them to satisfy within the Japanese Convention Finals. This might be fairly a preview.
