Sunday, June 7, 2015

Celtics will head to Italy this Fall

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The Celtics will begin their preseason schedule in Milan this October.

Celtics will take on the three-time Euroleague champion and 26-time Italian League champion, Olimpia Milano on Oct. 6 in Milan, Italy.
"On behalf of the Celtics organization, we are proud to return to Milan for NBA Global Games 2015," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in a press release. "I have particularly fond memories of playing in Europe almost 30 years ago, and I am sure our current players will relish this unique opportunity."

The last time the Celtics played in Europe was in 2012. But for most Celtics fans, the fondest memory of seeing the C's play in Europe came in 2007, when Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen played their first game together. Former Celtics coach Doc Rivers believes their trip to Europe that fall was pivotal for his team, where his players bonded and formed their chemistry. Rivers believed the trip played a role in capturing an NBA title in 2008.

This young Celtics team will look to do the same. The end result may not be the same as the 2007-08 team, but the trip itself could bring this team closer.

Olimpia Milano features MarShon Brooks, a familiar face to the Celtics, who was drafted 25th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and was traded to the Celtics from Brooklyn in the blockbuster deal that included Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry. Brooks averaged 13 points per game last season for the Italian club.

The Celtics will also play in Mexico for one regular season game. The C's are scheduled to play against the Sacramento Kings in Mexico City on Dec. 3.

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