Celtics return to Garden for home opener

Under new coach, a new era begins against the Raptors

After having zero positive COVID-19 tests in the "bubble," the NBA is putting protocols in place to have the same result in the upcoming season. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

By Dave D'Onofrio

Less than a minute to read

It feels far longer than 13 months since the seven-game tussle these teams staged in the Orlando bubble, with both Toronto and Boston having since seemingly slid from the ranks of the Eastern Conference elite. The Celtics set out on the new season looking to make a case they’re still a contender, and they’ll open the home portion of their 82-game slate against a Raptors team that lost Kyle Lowry over the summer. The Garden should be rocking for the start of the Ime Udoka Era — not only with the expectedly optimistic opening-night vibes, but because it’s expected to be the C’s first full-capacity, regular-season game since March 8, 2020.