5. California knows how to party
Speaking of a West Coast trip, the Celtics’ annual California trip takes place later in January from the 20th to the 23rd, with a quick stop in Texas coming right afterward.
The Celtics travel to San Francisco on the 20th of January for a date with the Golden State Warriors. After that, they have a back-to-back against the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers on the 22nd and 23rd. It will be their first time playing in the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome.
After their California trip is done, they head to Dallas for their first matchup with the Dallas Mavericks since the NBA Finals.
6. One of the toughest stretches of the season
If the Celtics’ January stretch against the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Nuggets is one of their hardest roads, then this is right up there with that.
From January 31 to February 23, the Celtics play playoff team after playoff team with no real break. It opens up with a three-game road trip against the New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Then, they head home for one game against the Mavs before playing the New York Knicks and Miami Heat on the road. Boston then ping-pongs back and forth with a home game against the San Antonio Spurs, a road game against the Sixers, and a road game against the Knicks. All of those squads will be looking to make the postseason, and the Celtics will be tested.