Celtics release pre-season schedule; Nets come to Boston October 23rd

One day after the NBA released the regular season schedule, the Celtics have announced their pre-season contests. Here are the 8 games. (Kudos to Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe).

Oct. 7 against Toronto at TD Garden. 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 against New York Knicks at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 against Philadelphia at Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Delaware. 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 against New York Knicks at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 against Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 against Toronto at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 against Minnesota Timberwolves at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. 6 p.m.
Oct. 23 against Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. 7 p.m.

Obviously the bolded one is the one that Celtics fans will be paying attention to most. The question now becomes, will the Nets have Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett make their triumphant return to Boston in a pre-season game? Common sense of course says no, especially considering Pierce and KG figure to have their minutes limited greatly during the pre-season to save their energy.

However, the chance at least exists that they will make the trip. It's unfortunate that the Celtics will be playing "home" pre-season games in Providence and New Hampshire (plus a game in Montreal that I think is a "home" game for Minnesota. Explain that to me.), yet the Nets game will be played at the Garden. I'm sure these things have been scheduled for awhile, but it would be nice to know for sure that Pierce and Garnett will not make their return during a pre-season game that is sure to lack the excitement and attention that their regular season return will.

Then again, I'm sure the Nets are aware of the situation and aren't trying to ruin this moment for Pierce, KG, or Celtics fans. Leave the old guys home and save a few of those bullets for later in the season.

Follow Mike on twitter - Mike_Dyer13

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