Wednesday was schedule day in the NBA, giving fans and media members alike their first look at exactly how the upcoming season will look.
So, let’s do just that. Here are some dates on the Boston Celtics’ 2015-16 schedule that caught our eye:
Wednesday, Oct. 28: Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 p.m.
Not the sexiest matchup to start things off with, but the lowly Sixers will be Boston’s first opponent this season. And Philly, despite its miserable track record over the past few years, does have a few players worth watching — namely, local kid and first-team All-Rookie selection Nerlens Noel and No. 3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor. And who knows, there could even be a Gerald Wallace sighting.
The Celtics will open the season with three consecutive home games, taking on the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 30 and the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 1.
Friday, Dec. 11: Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:30 p.m.
The defending champs, whom the Celtics played two competitive games against last season, make their lone visit to TD Garden. It’ll also be new Celtics big man David Lee’s first matchup with his former team.
Tuesday, Dec. 15: Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.
A matchup with LeBron James is a noteworthy one for any team, but this one could be particularly interesting after last season’s Celtics-Cavs playoff series nearly devolved into an all-out brawl. (Kelly Olynyk-Kevin Love revenge game, anyone?) This also is the Cavaliers’ only visit to Boston this season; they host the C’s on Feb. 5 and March 5.
Monday, Dec. 21: Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m.
Kevin Garnett returns to his old stomping grounds for what could be the final time. Nostalgia aside, the T-Wolves also boast one of the NBA’s most exciting young rosters, featuring top draft picks Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns as well as reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion Zach LaVine.
Wednesday, Dec. 30: Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 7:30 p.m.
C’mon, do we really have to explain this one? Regardless of either team’s current success, Celtics-Lakers is Celtics-Lakers.
Sunday, Feb. 7: Celtics vs. Sacramento Kings, 1 p.m.
The Celtics and Kings will travel to Mexico City for a game earlier in the season (Dec. 3, to be precise), but this will be the one to watch. What kind of reception will the Garden crowd give Rajon Rondo? Will Marcus Smart and DeMarcus Cousins reprise their wrestling match from last season? And it all goes down on Super Bowl Sunday.
Wednesday, Feb. 10: Celtics vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 7:30 p.m.
Three days after Rondo returns to Causeway Street, two other members of the 2008 NBA championship squad will follow suit. That, of course, would be coach Doc Rivers and forward Paul Pierce, who, like Garnett, is rapidly approaching the twilight of his NBA career.
Wednesday, April 13: Celtics vs. Miami Heat, 8 p.m.
The Celtics close out their regular-season schedule against a team they battled for a playoff spot last season — and should once again this coming spring.
—
National TV games
This season, the Celtics are scheduled to have seven games broadcast on either ESPN or TNT. By comparison, they had just one in 2014-15.
Here they are:
Tuesday, Nov. 24 at Atlanta (TNT, 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 9 vs. Chicago (ESPN, 7 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 7 at Chicago (TNT, 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Jan. 13 vs. Indiana (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 18 at Utah (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 16 vs. Oklahoma City (ESPN, 7 p.m.)
Friday, April 1 at Golden State (ESPN, 7: 30 p.m.)
See the full 2015-16 Celtics schedule here >>
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
