Celtics near top of NBA in miles traveled for 2017-18
For the Boston Celtics this season, rest will be hard to come by.
The Celtics will be third in miles traveled in 2017-18, behind just the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. The C's are the only Eastern Conference team in the top 10. Here's a look at how each team's travel stacks up:
Typically, the top teams in travel are all from the more geographically dispersed Western Conference, with Portland and Minnesota near the top. For example, the Celtics were 16th in miles traveled last season, though they had plenty of games where they were less rested than their opponents.
However, the Celtics have the short end of the straw this year, in part thanks to the London trip in January (though not entirely). The trip itself adds 6,000 miles, but it also condenses the rest of their schedule with days off before and after the trip.
Looking beyond the London trip, the Celtics have two west coast trips, three different road trips that veer into Texas and six road back-to-backs.
It's not just the total miles that could hurt the Celtics: The team will also be at a rest disadvantage as much as any team this season. That will be evidenced early on with a back-to-back and three games in four nights to start the season.
For the Celtics' entire schedule, check out Mark Allison's post from yesterday.
Photo: Jae Crowder's Instagram
Follow Steven on Twitter: @StevenTydings
The Celtics will be third in miles traveled in 2017-18, behind just the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. The C's are the only Eastern Conference team in the top 10. Here's a look at how each team's travel stacks up:
NBA 2017-18 Season: Miles traveled by each team over the whole season. pic.twitter.com/YSeq3rtFY2— Ed Küpfer (@EdKupfer) August 15, 2017
Typically, the top teams in travel are all from the more geographically dispersed Western Conference, with Portland and Minnesota near the top. For example, the Celtics were 16th in miles traveled last season, though they had plenty of games where they were less rested than their opponents.
However, the Celtics have the short end of the straw this year, in part thanks to the London trip in January (though not entirely). The trip itself adds 6,000 miles, but it also condenses the rest of their schedule with days off before and after the trip.
#Celtics request granted on getting days off around London game. Boston plays only once in 9 days with 4 days off before & after Jan. 11.— Scott Souza (@Scott_Souza) August 14, 2017
Looking beyond the London trip, the Celtics have two west coast trips, three different road trips that veer into Texas and six road back-to-backs.
It's not just the total miles that could hurt the Celtics: The team will also be at a rest disadvantage as much as any team this season. That will be evidenced early on with a back-to-back and three games in four nights to start the season.
NBA 2017-18: Each team's rest advantage over their opponents pic.twitter.com/IQZCqZ3tMW— Ed Küpfer (@EdKupfer) August 15, 2017
For the Celtics' entire schedule, check out Mark Allison's post from yesterday.
Photo: Jae Crowder's Instagram
Follow Steven on Twitter: @StevenTydings