NBA Schedule released, Celtics headline Christmas Day in New York
The 2016-17 NBA Schedule has been unveiled and it's officially revealed that the Celtics will be in New York against the Knicks on Christmas Day, headlining the NBA Christmas Day schedule. Additionally, the Celtics have 22 National TV appearances this year, as opposed to just nine last season. The C's full schedule, let's take a look at some of the marquee matchups this year:
Season/Home Opener:
Wednesday, October 26th vs Brooklyn Nets, 7:30pm
Back to Back to begin the Season:
Thursday, October 27th, at Chicago Bulls, 7:00pm
LeBron on the Road:
Thursday, November 3rd at Cleveland Cavaliers, 8:00pm
Warriors come to town:
Friday, November 18th vs Golden State Warriors, 8:00pm
Black Friday:
Friday, November 25th vs San Antonio Spurs, 1:00pm
Christmas Day:
Sunday, December 25th at New York Knicks, 12:00pm
Horford's Return to Atlanta:
Friday, January 13th at Atlanta Hawks, 8:00pm
Rivalry Day:
Friday, February 3rd vs Los Angeles Lakers, 8:00pm
Super Bowl Sunday:
Sunday, February 5th vs Los Angeles Clippers, 2:00pm
Champs come to town:
Wednesday, March 1st vs Cleveland Cavaliers, 8:00pm
Enemy Territory:
Friday, March 3rd at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30pm
Into the Oracle:
Wednesday, March 8th at Golden State Warriors, 10:30pm
LeBron Part Three:
Wednesday, April 5th vs Cleveland Cavaliers, 8:00pm
Season Finale:
Wednesday, April 12th vs Milwaukee Bucks, 8:00pm
Celtics national TV games breakdown:— Brian Robb (@CelticsHub) August 11, 2016
ESPN (10)
TNT (9)
ABC (3)
Key nuggets for the 2016-17 @celtics schedule: pic.twitter.com/aa3rLqSskq— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) August 11, 2016
Celtics with just 17 back-to-backs this season. That's the lowest total for the team during the Brad Stevens era.— Brian Robb (@CelticsHub) August 11, 2016
Looks like the Celts have a tough beginning to the season with the Bulls (twice) and Cavaliers on the schedule within the first five games. I also can't tell you how nice it is to have the Green back on the Christmas Day schedule. With a good matchup against the Knicks in New York, all eyes will be on the Celtics after gift opening on Christmas Morning.
Boston goes on their west coast road trip at the beginning of March and face the Lakers, Suns, Clippers, Warriors, and Nuggets consecutively. Also some games to note are Jared Sullinger's return to Boston with the Raptors on December 9th, and Evan Turner's return to Boston on January 21st.
It also looks like the most difficult stretch of the Celtics season comes in the entire month December starting with the Raptors, Thunder, Spurs, Hornets, Heat, Grizzlies, Pacers, Thunder, Knicks, Grizzlies, Cavaliers, Heat, and Jazz all within the month of December.
Ultimately, everyone is glad the schedule is out. It's been a long time coming and it's great to see the Celtics getting some primetime TV action during this upcoming year. It's gonna be a great season guys!
Image Credit: ESPN/Getty Images
Follow Kevin Yazhari on Twitter @KevKevYazhari
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