The Boston Celtics knew they were going to have a busy offseason when they were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1st round of the NBA playoffs. Despite doing their best to make the playoffs over the past 2 years with a team filled with role players, GM Danny Ainge wanted to make his big splash this offseason. Although not being able to sign Kevin Durant, he got the next best option in Al Horford, and drafted Jaylen Brown as an athletic wing to add to the Celtics roster. With a team centered around Head Coach Brad Stevens, Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford and role players who want to win, the Celtics will look to improve on their 48-34 record and 5th in the Eastern Conference with their 2016-2017 NBA schedule:
Boston will travel to Phillips Arena to play the Atlanta Hawks on January 13th, Al Horford’s first game back in Atlanta after leaving this summer. This will also be the first meeting taking place between these teams since their memorable series that took place in last year’s Playoffs.
The Celtics were also awarded a Christmas Day game this season. They’ll tip-off first on December 25th, traveling to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks at 12:00.
With an improving Eastern Conference, it will be tougher for the Celtics to become the contenders they hope to be, but with ESPN and many others placing them at the top of the East with the Cavaliers, Raptors, and Pacers, the Celtics are poised to be a threat in the East next year. The big question for the Celtics will be how Horford will fit into this Celtics team and how they can utilize him and Thomas to their best advantage. With an all-star point guard in Thomas and an all-star Center in Horford, the Celtics will be exciting to watch next year.
