The second half of the Celtics’ regular-season schedule released
The Celtics will face the Nets, Bucks, and Heat multiple times in their final 36 games.
As the first half of the NBA season winds down, the Celtics found out when they’ll play certain opponents for the second half of the season.
Following a seven-day layoff for the All-Star break, the Celtics will resume their regular season in Brooklyn to face the Nets on March 11. The Celtics faced the Nets already this season, losing to them in a 123-95 blowout on Christmas Day. That game, however, was played prior to the blockbuster deal that made James Harden a Net, so the March matchup will be the Celtics’ first game against the new-look Nets. The Celtics will face the Nets in Brooklyn again on April 23.
Following a game in Houston against the Rockets, the Celtics return home on March 16 to face the Jazz, who currently hold the league’s best record. The Celtics lost to the Jazz by 14 at the end of their recent West Coast trip.
The Celtics have a four-game road trip from March 22-27 that includes two matchups against the Bucks (March 24 and 26). Boston defeated Milwaukee in the first game of the season, in which Jayson Tatum hit a 3-pointer before the buzzer to give the Celtics the win.
Following the road trip, the Celtics return home for a seven-game homestand that runs from March 29-April 9, which includes matchups against the Pelicans (March 29), Mavericks (March 31), 76ers (April 6), and Knicks (April 7). The Celtics will also host the Hornets (April 4) during that time, marking Gordon Hayward’s first game in Boston since departing this past offseason.
The Celtics will embark on a three-game West Coast trip following that homestand to take on the Nuggets (April 11), Blazers (April 13), and, Lakers (April 15). While it’s a relatively brief trip, it might be the Celtics’ toughest as the Nuggets and Blazers both hold playoff spots and have MVP candidates. And of course, the Lakers look poised to repeat as champions.
Other notable matchups for the Celtics in April include home games against the Warriors (April 17) and Suns (April 22) and another road game against the Nets (April 23).
In May, the Celtics have home games against the Trail Blazers (May 2) and Heat (May 9 and 11). They have five road games in the season’s final month, finishing against the Knicks on May 16.
In total, the Celtics will play 36 games in the league’s second half of the season, exactly half of the 72 scheduled regular-season games. Also of note, the Celtics have six games on back-to-back days in the second half of the season. Kemba Walker has been ruled out for such games this season and is likely to continue to sit out for those games for the remainder of the regular season.
If there are any positives for the Celtics, their strength of schedule for the second half of the season is the fifth-easiest in the league. Their opponents in the second half have a .488 winning percentage average, according to ESPN.
Boston is currently 15-16 with five games remaining before the break.
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