The Boston Celtics preseason schedule has been announced, and the C’s will play two games against the Toronto Raptors.

Sunday, Dec. 18: Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 21: Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m.

After nine days of training camp/practices, play might be ugly. I foresee a number of passes thrown into the third row, a handful of (slightly, at least) pudgy players, and more shots than normal that connect with the rim fiercely before bounding off into an opponents’ hands.

Offensive sets will not necessarily be run crisply and defensive rotations will inevitably lack the urgency and cohesiveness we are used to from the Boston Celtics (at least when they are not slogging through the second night of a back-to-back, a random away game against the Sacramento Kings, or any other game during the second half of the past two regular seasons).

But it’s NBA basketball. It will be on TV. And if you’re not excited for that, even if it’s against the Toronto Raptors, it’s a shame.