Celtics first up for Ben

BEN Simmons and his Philadelphia 76ers will start their NBA season at home against conference rivals Boston Celtics after the league announced a schedule that is a little easier on players.

The NBA, in its 2019-20 schedule announced yesterday, has the season starting a week later, gives another dip in back-to-back games for teams and earlier tip-off times for the likes of Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Teams will play 82 games, with the regular season to start on October 22 and end with 13 games on April 15, with the play-offs to start on April 18.

Joe Ingles and his Utah Jazz will start at home against Oklahoma City Thunder on October 23 while Boomers teammate Patty Mills and the San Antonio Spurs host the New York Knicks on the same night.

Toronto Raptors players will get their championship rings on opening night, October 22, when they host the New Orleans Pelicans and No.1 pick Zion Williamson.

The Lakers — now featuring Anthony Davis to play alongside LeBron James — will play at the Clippers — now featuring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George — in the second match of the opening night double-header.

Other highlights are a Christmas Day schedule that includes Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia, Houston at Golden State, Clippers at Lakers, New Orleans at Denver Nuggets and Boston at Toronto.

Brooklyn Nets recruit Kyrie Irving returns to Boston to face the Celtics on November 27 while Houston Rockets’ Russell Westbrook will have to wait until January 9 to face his former team in Oklahoma City, after previously playing the Thunder at the Toyota Centre in late October.

The All-Star Game is February 16 in Chicago with no NBA games scheduled from February 14-19.