Let’s hit the best way again machine for the announcement of the primary Celtics common season recreation in 2023-2024:

Solely Rocky saying he’ll combat Drago on Christmas Day in Russia felt becoming for the schedule leak of this yr’s December twenty fifth slate. In keeping with The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Celtics will probably be in Los Angeles for the vacations to face the Lakers. Right here’s the remainder of the marquee matchups:

The workforce has historically been on the west coast to start out their December slate. However with the inaugural in-season event taking over November and ending in Las Vegas the primary week of December, that may push their highway journey later within the yr.

Final season, their two rivalry video games in opposition to LA produced two of probably the most dramatic wins. On December thirteenth, Boston constructed a 20-point lead at Crypto.com Enviornment earlier than the Lakers took the lead within the 4th quarter. After two missed Anthony Davis free throws, Jayson Tatum tied it within the clutch and the Celtics ran away with it in time beyond regulation. Six weeks later, it was the Lakers that dominated most of regulation till LeBron James missed a game-winning bunny. Jaylen Brown scored eleven of his game-high 37 factors in OT to brush the season collection.

Heading into subsequent yr, the 2 convention finalists are thought-about contenders for his or her 18th championship. Our pals at DraftKings at the moment have the Celtics second behind the Nuggets at +500 to boost the Larry O’Brien with the Lakers trailing Phoenix, Milwaukee, and Miami at +1200.