When can we expect the Celtics to rest players on back to backs?

The Boston Celtics might very well have won the 2022 NBA Championship had they simply been better rested heading into the playoffs, their legs betraying them against a Golden State Warriors squad who, while older on the whole, also managed to play considerably fewer postseason games on their way to a six-game Finals victory over the Celtics.

With that in mind, Boston added depth to their bench to make them flexible and to ease the load on often-injured and older players on their roster for the 2022-23 season to come in point guard Malcolm Brogdon and veteran forward Danilo Gallinari.

Back-to-back games in particular are also a place in the schedule where players might rest and others who get less playing time might see theirs bumped up, so let’s take a look at where that might happen in the 2022-23 season now that we know when they’ll be coming.

Oct. 21 (Miami Heat) or Oct. 22 (Orlando Magic)

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

With the Magic the easier of the two teams, we expect that to be the focus if any rest at all is taken so early in the season.

Nov. 4 (Chicago Bulls) or Nov. 5 (New York Knicks)

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Still early in the season, it’s likely few if any players rest, but barring a Donovan Mitchell trade, we’d bet it happens with the Knicks.

Nov. 11 (Denver Nuggets) or Nov. 12 (Detroit Pistons)

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

We might start to see rest being taken more seriously around now, nearly a month into the 2022-23 season, and the Pistons are the obvious choice.

Nov. 27 (Washington Wizards) or Nov. 28 (Charlotte Hornets)

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

This might be the rare circumstance where it makes more sense to hold players out in the first game against the Wiz, but if so, expect none of them named Jayson to take a night off so long as Brad Beal is suiting up.

Dec. 4 (Brooklyn Nets) or Dec. 5 (Toronto Raptors)

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

It could go either way here with both teams looking like a potentially tough out, but at least for now, it seems like a home game against the Raptors might be easier to rest big men against.

Dec. 12 (Los Angeles Clippers) or Dec. 13 (Los Angeles Lakers)

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers might be better than we expect next season…