BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Celtics open defense of their Atlantic Division title with a pair of home games against The New York Knicks and new head coach Larry Brown on Nov. 2, and the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons on Nov. 4.

The NBA champion San Antonio Spurs visit the TD Banknorth Garden on Nov. 11, while the Miami Heat, featuring Shaquille O’Neal and longtime Celtic Antoine Walker, come to Boston on March 1.

The longest homestand of the season is a four-game stretch from Nov. 25 until Dec. 2, while the team has a five-game Western Conference road trip in December and January.

The Celtics finished 45-37 last season, for their first divisional title in 13 years, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.