The Boston Celtics’ schedule was released tonight. The C’s have only one back-to-back-to-back, which should be good for creaky legs, but the NBA made up for it by scheduling the Celtics for the maximum amount of games against the Heat (4), Bulls (4), Lakers (2), Mavericks (2) and Thunder (2).

A few big dates:

Dec. 25, 2011 at New York Knicks — Season opener. Against Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. On Christmas Day. While drinking quarts of eggnog and wondering why Chauncey Billups keeps pulling up for three on secondary breaks. Awesome.

Dec. 27, 2011 April 1, 2012 vs. Miami Heat — Ho hum. A playoff rematch against the Miami Heat. In the TD Garden. With fans presumably screaming obscenities at Lebron James and rooting for an All-Star point guard, whose last name will either be Paul or Rondo.

Jan. 13, 2012 vs. Chicago Bulls — Derrick Rose makes his first trip to Boston this season, where he will match up against an All-Star point guard, whose last name will either be Paul or Rondo.

Jan. 16, 2012 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — Be prepared for a standing ovation that could take the roof off of the TD Garden, and might even draw a smile from Kendrick Perkins. Also, Kevin Durant didn’t play in Boston last season. This one will be fun.

Feb. 9, 2012 vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Kobe and the crew make their one trip to Boston. By then, the Lakers will either be settling into their normal .750 winning percentage or Kobe will be plotting the murder of one Mike Brown. You know what I’m rooting for.