Breaking down the back-to-back games for the Boston Celtics in 2019-20
By Ian Riaf
Travel and competition wise, the Boston Celtics face some difficult back-to-back games this season. Though they have one of the easiest schedules heading into 2019-20, they still may find some troubles along the way.
Player rest is a hot topic issue for the grueling 82 game season, for the Boston Celtics or any other team. Back-to-back games, in particular, are always a point of concern for the NBA. Vice President of Game Schedule Management, Tom Carelli on Howard Becks’ The Full 48 Podcast, noted how the league constantly takes measures to reduce the number of back-to-backs.
As Carrelli noted, changes to the 2019-20 regular-season schedule include:
- An average of 12.4 back-to-back games per team. Down from 13.3 last year and 19.3 in 2014-15, this is “the lowest it has ever been.”
- The “third straight year, we don’t have four games in five nights.”
- Back-to-backs over 750 miles traveled “are at 73 down from 79 last year.”
During the 2018-19 season, the Celtics had a demanding travel schedule for back-to-backs. Understandably so, they struggled, winning just five of the 12 on the second night of a back-to-back. There was only one instance of a back-to-back during a home stretch.
This year follows the same pattern in regards to back-to-backs. Of the twelve back-to-back games, the Celtics have only one stretch where they remain at home.
Travel will be an issue for the Celtics, as seven of the 12 back-to-back games have the team venturing over 700 miles on consecutive nights.
Let’s assess the difficulty of each of these types of matchups the Celtics face in 2019-20.
1. Toronto (home) / NY Knicks (home)
Miles traveled: 220
Level of difficulty: 6.5/10
Date: 10/25-10/26
The Leonard-less Toronto Raptors still have enough talent to make at least a sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The team signed wings Ronde Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson who will likely aid them on defense. Most Improved Player of the Year Pascal Siakam is expected to take on more of the offensive burden this year. Versatile wing O.G. Anunoby is also returning to the lineup after missing all postseason games this year.
Without Leonard, the Raptors were 17-5 as they played nine playoff teams while load managing Leonard. Even more impressive, 13 of these games came before the Marc Gasol acquisition.
On the back-end of the doubleheader, the Boston Celtics will travel to New York and face the Knicks, a team with too many shoot-first power forwards. The Knicks will struggle to find enough offensive opportunities for players like Julius Randle, Bobby Portis and Marcus Morris to get shots up.
Despite the lack of rest, the Boston Celtics will match up well against the Knicks. Look for the Celtics to take these two games early as it will serve as a good measure of team chemistry.
2. Sacramento (away) / Phoenix (away)
Miles traveled: 750
Level of difficulty: 5.5/10
Date: 11/17-11/18
The Sacramento Kings made some notable offseason noise by signing capable floor spacers Dwyane Deadmon and the 34-year-old Trevor Ariza along with resigning Harrison Barnes. Despite the young core of De’ Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield, the Sacramento Kings still play in the more challenging Western Conference. Every team in their division is slated to make the playoffs based on ESPN’s Basketball Power Index.
The 750 mile trip to Phoenix should not give the Celtics much trouble as they face an even younger developing team.
3. Indiana (away) / Philadelphia (home)
Miles traveled: 805
Level of difficulty: 9/10
Date: 12/11-12/12
This series is arguably the Celtics’ most difficult back-to-back as they face both a high level of competition and a long travel day.
Both the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers have revamped their starting lineups despite losing talent along the way. Boston will likely be jockeying for position with these teams. The struggle for the Celtics comes with the lack of height at both the guard and center spots. The Boston Celtics might be able to dodge a bullet as Victor Olidipo’s estimated return looks to be in December or January.
The Pacers and 76ers can feature 6-5 and over lineups aimed at taking advantage of Kemba Walker’s lack of height. With Enes Kanter assuming the starting center position, look for the Celtics to feature Robert Williams and new French big man Vincent Poirier earlier than usual. This series will be another good early-season indicator of how the Celtics stand in the Eastern Conference.
4. Cleveland (home) / Toronto (home)
Miles traveled: 0
Level of difficulty: 5/10
Date: 12/27-12/28
This matchup marks the Celtics only back-to-back home series as it features two very winnable games. Boston might want to consider load managing Kemba Walker, Gordan Hayward or Enes Kanter during the second-day game as the Cleveland Cavaliers are projected to be a lottery team once again this year.
5. Atlanta (home) / Chicago (away)
Miles traveled: 920
Level of difficulty: 6/10
Date: 1/3-1/4
While the Atlanta Hawks are said to be constructed along the same foundation as the 2012-13 Golden State Warriors, they are still far from being a contender. While the Hawks got incrementally better at the wing despite losing Taurean Prince, they also lost a capable defender and floor spacer in Dwayne Dedmon. Atlanta also ranked last in points given up as Trae Young showed many struggles guarding the pick-and-roll.
The Chicago Bulls, who look like a winning team on paper, struggled to find wins last season. Lauri Markanan missed the team’s first 23 games, but the team still had a losing record (16-36) with him on the floor.
While these two games are very winnable, the Celtics will still have to deal with the travel factor as this marks their second-longest travel stretch for a back-to-back.
6. San Antonio (home) / Philadelphia (away)
Miles traveled: 300
Level of difficulty: 8.5/10
Date: 8/8- 8/9
The Boston Celtics will start their first game off against a healthy San Antonio Spurs team equipped with a long and versatile backcourt of Dejonte Murray and Derrick White. The Spurs added more wing depth with DeMarre Caroll and Trey Lyles as they look to make another playoff push in a crowded Western Conference. If they can edge out a playoff spot, this will be their 23rd consecutive season of making the playoffs.
After a matchup with the Spurs, the Celtics will then travel to Philadelphia. This is the second time facing the 76ers on the second night of a back-to-back.
7. Detroit (home) / Milwaukee (away)
Miles traveled: 1075
Level of difficulty: 8.5/10
Date: 1/15-1/16
The Detroit Pistons are the definition of mediocre. Because Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin tie up the bulk of their cap space, the Pistons were unable to make any substantial free-agent splashes over the summer. That said, they were able to use the biannual exception to sign Markieff Morris to a very team-friendly deal. Barring any injuries, the Celtics will likely have the upper hand during their home stand against the Pistons.
The Celtics then travel halfway across the country to square off against the Milwaukee Bucks, making it one of their longest back-to-back treks. The Milwaukee Bucks had a strange off-season, adding more depth at all positions but also losing crucial high-end role players. The travel involved will likely put the Celtics at a disadvantage as they square off against the championship-contending Bucks.
This stretch also marks their third back-to-back during January.
8. Portland (away) / Utah (away)
Miles traveled: 920
Level of difficulty: 8.5/10
Date: 2/25-2/26
On top of a four-game Western Conference, road stretch, the Boston Celtics will be forced to encounter the high altitudes of Salt Lake City during the second night of their back-to-back. They acquired Hassan Whiteside, who might not be the best fit for the Trail Blazers as they also lost the up and coming Meyers Leonard at the same time.
After squaring off against the constantly overachieving Portland Trail Blazers, Boston will face off against the new and improved Utah Jazz. New additions Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic give the Jazz an upgrade in terms of floor spacing and perimeter defending.
The Celtics, who lost all four matchups last year to the Blazers and Jazz will have difficulty on this back-to-back, both because of the long distance traveled and the level of competition.
9. Brooklyn (home) / Cleveland (away)
Miles traveled: 640
Level of difficulty: 7/10
Date: 3/3-3/4
Aside from signing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant over the offseason, the Brooklyn Nets made a series of smaller, win-now type moves. DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and Garrett Temple are all new pieces added onto an already young and successful Brooklyn Nets core.
The Celtics new frontcourt will have another test on their hands against Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan, both of whom finished as top 25 rebounders last year.
After traveling to Cleveland the following day, the Celtics might want to consider load managing some of their players. Despite having signed Kevin Love through 2022-23, the Cavaliers look are still in rebuilding mode as this game poses no real threat to the Celtics.
10. Milwaukee (away) / Washington (home)
Miles traveled: 1075
Level of difficulty: 7/10
Date: 3/12-3/13
Once again, the Celtics will face the Milwaukee Bucks on one of their longest back-to-back travel days. This time, however, they will matchup against the Bucks on their first night of this stretch of games.
With Bradley Beal rumored to be on the move, the Wizards will likely find themselves in full rebuild mode. They will use this time to help develop young players Thomas Byrant and Rui Hachimura.
Late in the season, Boston again might want to go the route of resting players during their 3/13 matchup against the Wizards.
11. Toronto (away) / Brooklyn (away)
Miles traveled: 765
Level of difficulty: 8/10
Date: 3/20-3/21
Two late-season road games against capable Atlantic Division teams might serve as a possible playoff prelude. Depending on the standings, this might be an opportunity to solidify home-court advantage.
12. Orlando (away) / Miami (away)
Miles traveled: 235
Level of difficulty: 7.5/10
Date: 4/10- 4/11
The Celtics will be in the state of Florida for their last back-to-back of the season. This gives them another possible opportunity to test lineups against potential playoff opponents. According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, both teams are projected to make the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
On paper, the Miami Heat pose more of a threat, but the Orlando Magic gave the Celtics more trouble last year. Compared to the Heat, the Magic have more roster continuity which could translate to more chemistry on the court. They retained both Nikola Vucivic and Terrance Ross while also adding the versatile vet Al-Farouq Aminu.
Next. Brad Stevens must use 2019-20 to prove his worth. dark
Miami acquired Jimmy Butler and Myers Leonard while losing Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside. After missing the playoffs, Pat Riley and the Heat seem poised to be back in contention this year.
If the Magic and Heat decide to play their starters and treat this as a potential playoff matchup the Boston Celtics should also follow suit.