The Celtics traditional parquet court will be getting a temporary green look for the second straight season starting Tuesday night against the Hawks.
The newly rebranded NBA Cup kicks off Tuesday night with Boston hosting the Atlanta Hawks with a few new shades of green on the Garden parquet. The NBA has created 30 new courts for all teams around the league for the second straight year to help promote the in-season tournament. The Celtics originally debuted a darker shade of green on the Garden parquet last year for in-season tournament home games but they will move to three different shades of green with the NBA Cup logo in the middle of the floor for this year.
Boston will host the Hawks and Cavaliers for their two games in NBA Cup pool play on the next two Tuesdays and will also face the Wizards and Bulls on the road in the East C group.
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The Celtics won their group last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament before getting knocked out by the Pacers. A tougher path awaits this time with the NBA’s best team (Cleveland) facing Boston in pool play.
“I think it’s fun,” Jrue Holiday said. “I think we push for something else in the middle of the season. To be able to win a cup and get to Vegas is something I think every team should push for. I feel like that’s something we’re trying to do. Obviously win every single game but knowing this is a tournament, another milestone that we can get.”
Here’s the full Celtics schedule for NBA Cup pool play.
November 12: vs. Hawks, 7 p.m. ET
November 19: vs. Cavs, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
November 22: at Washington, 7 p.m. ET
November 29: at Chicago, 8 p.m. ET
Each team will play every other team within their group, (consisting of five total teams) during the group stage. The winners of each group and one wildcard team from each conference will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament on Dec. 10-11.
The semifinals and championship of the NBA Cup will be held at T-Mobile Arena for the second straight year. The winners of the NBA Cup will get the trophy and $500,000 for each player. Losing in the championship game is a $200,000 bonus. There are also winnings for making it to the semifinals ($100,000) and quarterfinals ($50,000).The Lakers won the inaugural NBA in-season tournament last year.
