The Boston Celtics went 2-1 to start this stretch after a controversial loss to the Indiana Pacers, finishing their two-game set in Indiana on Monday night.
The Celtics have a notably tough schedule starting this week, featuring a back-to-back with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks through the month of January. Right around Marcus Smart's return to Boston on Feb. 4.
Facing arguably their toughest stretch of the season, Boston will have high-caliber matchups with teams such as the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, rivals Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, and the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers.
Al Horford spoke about the Celtics' schedule ahead recently at shootaround.
"Not looking ahead," the five-time All-Star said prior to last Friday's matchup with the Utah Jazz. "You know, not looking ahead to January and looking at the schedule, like I mean, yeah, I've looked at it, but I'm not gonna dwell spending time on that part of it. Like I think, the biggest thing for us is, and we've had this approach, and it's been good and we're gonna be tested on it."
The Celtics' leader in the locker room continued to detail the team's mindset.
"I'm not saying we're gonna be tested on it this month, and it's continuing to do the game-to-game, and focusing on Utah for tomorrow, and understand that we have to perform well and protect home court like we've been doing all season. We'll talk at the end of January and see how we did, but taking it game-to-game."
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