The Boston Celtics released their 2012-13 preseason schedule, which provided fans with an interesting twist. Boston's first two games of the preseason will take place overseas.
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Garnet will begin their eight-game exhibition warm-ups on Friday October 5 in Istanbul, Turkey followed by a trip to Milan, Italy two days later.
The remaining six exhibition games will come against their Atlantic Division rivals Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers. Only two of Boston's preseason games will be played at the TD Garden.
Boston Celtics Complete Preseason Schedule:
Note: All start times Eastern
Friday, Oct. 5: Boston Celtics at Fenerbahce Ulker, 2 p.m. Ulker Sports Arena (Istanbul, Turkey)
Sunday, Oct. 7: Boston Celtics at EA7 Emporio Armani Milano, 12 p.m. Mediolanum Forum (Milan, Italy)
Saturday, Oct. 13: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. XL Center (Hartford, Conn.)
Monday, Oct. 15: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, Penn.)
Tuesday, Oct. 16: Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. TD Garden (Boston, Mass.)
Thursday, Oct. 18: Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets, 8 p.m. Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Saturday, Oct. 20: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. Times Union Center (Albany, N.Y.)
Sunday, Oct. 21: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. TD Garden (Boston, Mass.)
While preseason games have no weight on the Celtics' run for an NBA championship it should provide fans with a good look into how well the team matches up with international competition.
Fenerbache Ulker was founded in 1913 and is the winner of eight Turkish Championships, three Turkish Cups, and four President Cups. Their last Turkish Championship came in the 2010-11 season.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milano was founded in 1936 and is the most titled basketball team in Italy. In their history they have won 25 Italian Championships, three European Champions Cups, four Italian National Cups, one International Cup, three Saporta Cups, and two Korac Cups. Their last Italian Championship came in 1996.
In addition to the exciting international play, it will be a good first look and the changing rosters of their Atlantic Division foes.
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Sources:
All data provided by NBA.com
Paul Rados is an avid Boston Celtics fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.
