Here’s the Boston Celtics schedule for the first half of 2020-21

The NBA will release its schedule for the first half of the 2020-21 season on Friday. NBA teams started training camp on Tuesday with the season set to begin on Dec. 22.

The Boston Celtics have always envisioned themselves as title contenders despite not really having a realistic shot at a title the past few seasons. The Celtics’ best shot at a title in recent memory might have been this past season in the bubble. Boston wasn’t able to shake off the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals and would have been a long-shot to knock off LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers anyway. So back to the drawing board for Danny Ainge and Co.

Usually the Celtics GM makes a big splash in the trade market. That didn’t exactly happen this offseason. Gordon Hayward was dangled in sign-and-trade deals but nothing came of it. Hayward bolted for the Charlotte Hornets, though the Celtics could get a trade exception in return. The one positive from this offseason was signing Jayson Tatum for the next five years while also bringing in some front court depth. Tristan Thompson brings a presence the Celtics have lacked in the middle and should get a chance to compete after being stuck on the Cavaliers. The Celtics still have a bright future with Tatum and Jaylen Brown but it won’t be easy to compete in the tough East.

Here’s the Celtics schedule:

Odds

NBA Championship: +1300
Eastern Conference: +550

National TV Games

Dec. 23, Celtics vs. Bucks, 7:30 p.m. TNT
Dec. 25, Celtics vs. Nets, 5:00 p.m. ABC
Jan. 3, Celtics vs. Pistons, 3:00 p.m. NBA TV
Jan. 6, Celtics vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 10, Heat vs. Celtics, 7:00 p.m. NBA TV
Jan. 17, Knicks vs. Celtics, 1:00 p.m. NBA TV
Jan. 20, Celtics vs. Sixers, 7:00 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 22, Celtics vs. Sixers, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 30, Lakers vs. Celtics, 8:30 p.m. ABC
Feb. 2, Celtics vs. Warriors, 10:00 p.m. TNT
Feb. 5, Celtics vs. Clippers, 10:00 p.m. ESPN
Feb. 7, Celtics vs. Suns, 2:00 p.m. NBA TV
Feb. 9, Celtics vs. Jazz, 10:00 p.m. TNT
Feb. 21, Celtics vs. Pelicans, 3:30 p.m. ABC
Feb. 23, Celtics vs. Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. TNT
Feb. 26, Pacers vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
March 2, Clippers vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. TNT
March 4, Raptors vs. Celtics, 7:00 p.m. TNT

2020-21 Schedule

Dec. 23, Bucks vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. TNT
Dec. 25, Nets vs. Celtics, 5:00 p.m. ABC
Dec. 27, Celtics vs. Pacers, 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 29, Celtics vs. Pacers, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 1, Celtics vs. Pistons, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 3, Celtics vs. Pistons, 3:00 p.m. NBA TV
Jan. 4, Celtics vs. Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 6, Celtics vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 8, Wizards vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10, Heat vs. Celtics, 7:00 p.m. NBA TV
Jan. 12, Celtics vs. Bulls, 8:00 p.m.
Jan. 13, Magic vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15, Magic vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17, Knicks vs. Celtics, 1:00 p.m. NBA TV
Jan. 20, Celtics vs. Sixers, 7:00 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 22, Celtics vs. Sixers, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 24, Cavaliers vs. Celtics, 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 25, Celtics vs. Bulls, 8:00 p.m.
Jan. 27, Celtics vs. Spurs, 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 30, Lakers vs. Celtics, 8:30 p.m. ABC
Feb. 2, Celtics vs. Warriors, 10:00 p.m. TNT
Feb. 3, Celtics vs. Kings, 10:00 p.m.
Feb. 5, Celtics vs. Clippers, 10:00 p.m. ESPN
Feb. 7, Celtics vs. Suns, 2:00 p.m. NBA TV
Feb. 9, Celtics vs. Jazz, 10:00 p.m. TNT
Feb. 12, Raptors vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 14, Pistons vs. Celtics, 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 16, Nuggets vs. Celtics, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 17, Hawks vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19, Hawks vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21, Celtics vs. Pelicans, 3:30 p.m. ABC
Feb. 23, Celtics vs. Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. TNT
Feb. 24, Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26, Pacers vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Feb. 28, Wizards vs. Celtics, 7:00 p.m.
March 2, Clippers vs. Celtics, 7:30 p.m. TNT
March 4, Raptors vs. Celtics, 7:00 p.m. TNT

Note: All times are eastern standard time.