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Doc's a fan of home-and-homes

Steve Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images

The Celtics and Wizards met for the second time in as many nights on Monday.BOSTON -- The Celtics encounter an interesting wrinkle in their lockout-condensed schedule this month, playing consecutive games against the same team on three different occasions. That included a home-and-home series against the Washington Wizards on consecutive nights, with Boston winning both games, including Monday night's 100-92 triumph at the TD Garden.

The Celtics play two more home-and-homes before the month is out, though there's more space between those future games as Boston jousts twice with Orlando (Jan. 23, 26) and Cleveland (Jan. 29, 31).

Count Celtics coach Doc Rivers as a fan of the consecutive games, especially for the break it offers in advanced scouting.

"It cuts down on preparation time, I can tell you that," said Rivers. "I like it, I’ve always liked it -- I wish our league did it more. I’ve said it for years, I think two-game series, I think it kinda breeds competition. I’ve always liked it."

Given that the Celtics won both ends of a home-and-home against the Wizards, that probably makes Rivers like it even more.