Schedule Released: Celtics Kick Off NBA Season
BOSTON (CBS) - The NBA announced it's 2011-12 schedule Tuesday night, with the Boston Celtics kicking off the new season on December 25 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Celtics will play their first home game at the TD Garden on December 30 against the Detroit Pistons.
The 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks visit the TD Garden on January 11. Other highlights of the schedule include Miami's two trips to Boston on April 1 and April 24 as well as the Los Angeles Lakers sole visit to town on February 9.
Click here for the full schedule broken down by month.
Being only a 66-game schedule due to the lockout, the Celtics will not see Denver, Golden State, LA Clippers, Minnesota, New Orleans, or Sacramento at the Garden. In addition, Boston will not visit Houston, Memphis, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, or Utah.
The Celtics play 19 of their 32 games prior to the All-Star game at home. They do not have travel much in January, with 11 of their 16 games coming at home. In March, 11 of their 17 games are on the road.
Boston will have 18 back-t0-backs this season, and only one back-to-back-to-back. That will be a tough test for the Celtics, with stops in Toronto, New Jersey, and Charlotte on three straight days.
Tickets for all Boston Celtics home games will go on sale Wednesday, December 14 at 10 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets online at Celtics.com, by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX (866-462-2849) or by visiting the TD Garden Box Office.
