The Celtics know they're back on the NBA map when they start the season early and work on Christmas.
The NBA released its 2009-10 schedule yesterday, and the marathon was highlighted yet again by an opening night game (Oct. 27) against the Cavaliers, though this time at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The game kicks off TNT's broadcast schedule. The Celtics open their home schedule the next night against Charlotte. They travel to Orlando for a Christmas game on ABC against last season's Eastern Conference semifinals opponent.
The Cavs also will play two games in the Garden, Feb. 25 and April 4, and the Lakers make their annual Garden visit on Jan. 31. Chicago, the team that took the Celtics to seven games in last year's first-round series - a historic stretch that featured four overtime games and seven overtime periods - will come to the Garden for the third game of the season Oct. 30, and return Jan. 14. The Magic also will make two Boston appearances this season, Nov. 20 and Feb. 7.
After playing in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day last season, the Celtics get to host the event this season against the Knicks.
A limited number of premium seat season tickets and game night suite rentals still are available.
- mrmurphy@bostonherald.com
