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 power. 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 season, a transfer that can probably 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 all the way down to the interior growth of the roster. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can nonetheless add wrinkles to their sport. Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard are younger sufficient to proceed bettering. Derrick White and Jrue Vacation will probably be a stronger duo in 12 months two.
You’ll be able to go down your entire roster and provides the explanation why the Celtics might be higher than final 12 months. I’m certain we’ll do exactly that sooner or later within the lifeless of the offseason, however not at the moment. At present, I wish to take a look at every month of the upcoming season so we are able to select 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 all the time love how the NBA offers me an superior present 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 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 could have a professional defensive id. Beating them on opening evening 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 in the course of the summer season, 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 onerous. 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 lure video games, and the journey shouldn’t be sufficient of an element right here, both.
Hardest sport: 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 sport 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 superbly even break 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 sport 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 stage 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 Group USA in Paris.
I need Tatum to have a monster evening. It doesn’t must be an explosive scoring efficiency, both…In reality, I feel 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 sport will probably set the stage.
The Nov. 19 matchup in opposition to the Cavaliers (which can be an NBA Cup sport) will probably be fascinating. It is going to be the primary matchup between these two groups because the Japanese Convention semi-finals.
Cleveland will probably be a distinct take a look at than final season as a result of arrival of Kenny Atkinson as their head coach. He’ll probably have them enjoying a extra offensive sport 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.
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 exhibiting final season. Anthony Edwards will probably be a stern take a look at for Vacation and White, whereas will probably be fascinating to see how Mazzulla seems to be to control the double-big pairing of Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert.
Moreover, Ty Lue’s workforce may 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 position on offense, Lue’s workforce might be a critical risk. The Clippers’ strikes this summer season have made them a much more balanced roster.
Hardest sport: I really feel like will probably be in opposition to the Clippers. The Timberwolves will probably be a troublesome take a look at for Boston. Having to come back again the subsequent evening and face Lue’s roster, with some drained legs and sore muscle tissues, will probably be an enormous take a look at for the Celtics.
December
Key Dates:
We additionally get a few firsts in December.
First sport in opposition to the Warmth.
First sport in opposition to the 76ers
And the primary sport in opposition to the Orlando Magic
All three of these matchups are fascinating, and all three will probably 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 workforce performs and the place Sensible matches 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 will probably be on the highway for his or her sport in opposition to the Cavs earlier than heading again dwelling to face the Warmth.
A sport 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 will probably 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 are gonna assist us quite a bit. We’re attempting to make some noise. I feel we must always simply be a top-four, top-three workforce and have an opportunity to win the East.”
After which, you might have the Christmas Day sport. 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 probably 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 relating to the Sixers and their dedication to 2 injury-prone stars. In fact, that’s probably not our concern, however it could definitely have an effect on the Celtics’ bid to repeat final season’s success.
Hardest sport: Christmas Day. The intense lights will probably be shining. The world will probably be watching. And the Sixers will probably be out to show their credentials as a real championship contender. The Celtics should deliver 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 deal with. They begin the month with highway video games in opposition to the Timberwolves, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets.
Each Oklahoma and Denver will probably be fascinating assessments for Boston. The 2 Western Convention standouts play vastly completely different kinds 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 will probably 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 impression he’ll make stay to be seen.
Denver’s offseason has been considerably perplexing. Shedding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free company was an enormous 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 might make or break their possibilities 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 inner growth might 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 drive 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 compelled to run a gauntlet of potential NBA Finals opponents.
In fact, the Lakers sport 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 might be very important as we get our first style of a JJ Redick-led Purple and Gold roster.
Hardest sport: 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 might vastly impression 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 technique to come via all of these unscathed, their possibilities of securing the primary seed will take a serious step ahead.
I feel the Feb. 12 sport in opposition to the Spurs will probably be enjoyable. Victor Wembanyama will probably 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 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 will probably be a battle of the Unicorns — a battle that Porzingis obtained the higher of final season.
Dallas will probably 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 often begins selecting up some steam. I’ve averted mentioning them till this level. Nevertheless, 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 development and whether or not they’re able to being a drive within the East.
Nonetheless, if there’s one factor I do know, it’s that you could by no means rely out an Erik Spoelstra workforce, no matter how sturdy or weak they appear on paper.
Two extra video games in opposition to the Sixers and Knicks may even be intriguing. We’re on the level the place each groups will probably be tweaking their strategy to attempt to discover some gaps within the Celtics’ protection and work out methods to gradual 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 might study quite a bit in these video games.
I additionally suppose that one among Boston’s most pivotal stretches begins within the ultimate week of Feb and flows into March…
Hardest sport: 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
Your 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 feel this might 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 dropping 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 probably 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 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 sometimes.
Hardest sport: Lakers. Everyone knows why. And none of us would need it some other method. At the very least 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 probably be a troublesome take a look at this late within the season, particularly in the event that they’re preventing for seeding.
Phoenix at dwelling will probably be an fascinating one, too. The ultimate two video games in opposition to Charlotte have to be approached with objective. If seeding continues to be vast open, the Celtics can’t afford to fall into any lure video games. Charles Lee could have a younger and creating workforce 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 sport: Miami at dwelling. Spoelstra’s workforce might 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.
