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Hayward: Celtics want to play well for Kyrie vs. Cavaliers

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

The 2017-18 NBA regular season will start off with a bang Tuesday night when Kyrie Irving returns to Quicken Loans Arena with the Boston Celtics to battle his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While Irving continues to downplay the magnitude of the matchup, some of his new Celtics teammates view the season opener in a different light.

"It's a huge game for Kyrie, and I think one we're all looking to play our best for him, not only for the team but for him," said Gordon Hayward, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "We know it's a big game for him."

Irving said that while everyone will be hyping up Cavaliers-Celtics for the storylines surrounding it, at the end of the day, "it's just two hoops and a basketball."

"Kyrie is really approaching this like, I feel like, any other game," added Al Horford. "He's really locked in, he understands what we need to do, as far as our group. He's been very focused on us and what we need to do."

Irving began his career with the Cavaliers in 2011 as the No. 1 overall pick. The franchise headed to the past three NBA Finals with him, LeBron James, and Kevin Love at the forefront. That success made it all the more shocking when it came out that Irving had asked the Cavaliers to trade him, stemming from a desire to begin anew and forge his own path with his own team.

While James and Love remain, the Cavaliers have their work cut out for them incorporating a ton of new pieces, including Derrick Rose, Jae Crowder, Jeff Green, Dwyane Wade, and a healthy Isaiah Thomas once he returns from his hip injury. Even so, the way the team functions should largely remain the same - and while Irving has an advantage in knowing the ins and outs of the Cavs' play calls, he admitted that Cleveland has just as much intel on his own game.

"It's a give and take. I know a lot about them, they know a lot about me," said Irving. "I'm looking forward to the challenge because now you've just gotta really think the game on your feet out there. And I know we've got a great coaching staff that are committed to preparing us."

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