Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule

One major addition to the 2023-24 NBA season will be the Play-In Tournament. The Celtics have been placed in Group C, pairing them with the Nets, Raptors, Magic and Bulls for the first stage of the festivities.

Ahead of the official schedule release, the league unveiled the Group Stage schedule for every team. Let’s take a look at Boston’s slate and predict how each contest will go.

Group Stage Game 1: Nets vs. Celtics, Nov. 10

The Celtics begin the Group Stage of the 2023 Play-In Tournament at home against the Nets. This is arguably Boston’s biggest test in Group C, but I don’t think Joe Mazzulla’s squad will have a ton of trouble getting the win.

The Celtics will have played seven games ahead of this contest, giving them a good amount of time to work off the early-season rust. They also won’t be allowed to coast to begin the campaign with the likes of the Heat and 76ers among their first seven opponents, which should ensure they take things seriously from the jump.

Boston also gets to face Brooklyn on Nov. 4, giving the team a chance to scout the Nets before their Group Stage showdown. The Celtics already had their way with Brooklyn last season, winning the series 3-1, including three straight victories to begin the 2022-23 campaign.

The Nets have a nice core headlined by Mikal Bridges, but they’re simply outmatched in this one. Boston ranked No. 2 in offensive rating and No. 3 in defensive rating, making this squad a nightmare on both ends of the court. Though they could lag a bit to begin the year with the departures of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams, they also have the chance to be even better on offense with the addition of Kristaps Porzingis.

I’m backing Tatum and company to win this one.

Prediction: Nets 102, Celtics 110