Simply put, the Boston Celtics have a very favorable schedule. Their easy start should help them gain enough traction to cement themselves atop the Eastern Conference.
The design of a schedule can make or break a season. Last year, the fates of the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves season boiled down to the final game when the team with home-court advantage secured a win, and thus a trip to the playoffs.
For the Boston Celtics, their 2018-19 schedule presents some challenging stretches but also many favorable situations. Last years team finished with the 3rd weakest schedule according to the strength of schedule measurement. This team finished in the middle of the pack in condensed scheduling scenarios, scenarios such as the 3rd game in 4 days and back-to-back games.
The Celtics of last year actually came out ahead in back-to-back games. They finished with a record of 9 wins and 5 losses on the second night of these games. This year they will play in 13 back-to-back games. Nine of these games come on the road.
The Celtics have a very manageable start to the season. They only have one back-to-back series during the first 22 days of the season. Moving onto November, the schedule becomes more dense. They play 3 back-to-backs in a 3 week stretch, a stretch which features 11 games in 21 days. Twice during this period, they will be tested against the efficient Utah Jazz, both on the second night of their back-to-backs. These two games will likely be their toughest matchups in November.
The month of December features only one instance of 3 games in 4 days. They have a tough back-to-back series at the beginning of the month, playing in Boston the first night and Minneapolis the next. Their toughest week in December comes during the week of Christmas when they face the Philadelphia 76ers, then travel to Houston with just one day of rest in between.
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January features many home games against likely sub-par and middle of the road opponents. A back-to-back series against the Indiana Pacers in Boston and the Miami Heat on the road could result in some fatigue. The month of January presents many opportunities to increase their winning percentage against low ranking Eastern Conference teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Hornets.
The first full week of February will present an interesting challenge. During this period the Celtics at home will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers. The All-Star break will give the Celtics some added rest as they then head into the hardest part of their season schedule wise. A home game against the Houston Rockets, followed by a 3,000 mile trip to Golden State with one day of rest in between will give the Celtics a most difficult two-week stretch, playing against all four California teams within a six-day period.
After this road trip, the Celtics will conclude their regular season against many potential playoff matchups such as the Pacers twice, Heat twice, and the 76ers and Washington Wizards once each. While the Celtics may and should rest some players during this stretch, it will serve as a good prelude to the playoffs.
This team has a handful of difficult stretches both quality and travel wise. Even with that in mind, it’s a very favorable schedule. A 55-win team last year, the Celtics are projected by ESPN to win close to 60 games this coming season. The design of their schedule gives the Celtics an opportunity to get off to a hot start, a start they will need in order to secure home court advantage come playoff time.