After a month plus, the Celtics find themselves at 13-4 and atop the Eastern Conference. Not too shabby considering that their first stretch was a challenging one in terms of competition. There were a couple of losses to teams that they had no business losing to, but made up for it by getting revenge on those teams this week (not to mention taking the hyped Heat down a few pegs before everyone else started doing so).
This next month (at least on paper) looks like an easier road. They get Philly twice and Jersey, Charlotte, and Detroit. We'll see Indy twice, and while they are showing signs of life lately, I think they are very beatable. New York has won 7 of their last 8 but if the C's play their game and not get caught up in the Knicks style, they should be fine.
Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando are the ones that I have circled because they are Eastern Conf. competitors and we'll get our first look at New Orleans, Denver, and Portland.
There are three back to backs scheduled but the middle of the month seems downright restful with 3 days off before the NY game. There's an even split of home and away games in the month and they'll be on national TV at least twice.
The Celtics have a great opportunity to build their win total and establish an early foothold on the race for home court advantage. They've had strong Decembers in years past before seeing a mid-Winter freeze happen in January and beyond. Hopefully they can avoid that this year.