THIS WEEK’S C’S TIMELINE

MONDAY

VS. ORLANDO, 7:30 P.M.

It'll be the third game in four nights after the back-to-back in Toronto on Friday and New York on Saturday; the team's vaunted depth will be needed more than usual. The C's won three-of-four over the Magic last season, beating them by 16, 15 and nine. But they also lost by eight in the Garden, so they should be wary as the Magic arrive with new coach Steve Clifford.

THURSDAY AT OKLAHOMA CITY, 8 P.M.

Russell Westbrook was unable to start the season on the active roster because of a knee issue, and it's not known whether he'll be available. (Or, if he is, whether he'll be limited.) André Roberson is out with his own knee problem after suffering a setback. The C's had a big win in OKC early last season as part of their 16-game win streak and they snuck out a 1-point win in the Garden last March, but the Thunder still have Paul George and Steven Adams, plus Dennis Schroder has been acquired from Atlanta to get under someone's skin.

SATURDAY AT DETROIT, 7 P.M.

The Pistons have a new coach used to beating the Celtics. While leading the Raptors, Dwane Casey had a good deal of success against Brad Stevens. He had success against a lot of people, which is why he was voted Coach of the Year last season. That, of course, didn't prevent him from getting fired, and while Casey has brought his ideas with him to Detroit, he wasn't able to bring his players.