1/18/12: Celtics vs. Bulls Stat Pack

*Recently, Kevin Garnett’s 2012-13 single-player plus/minus has fell drastically.
–First 21 games of 2012-13: KG +99
–Last 17 games this season: KG -70

*The Celtics and Bulls have been 2 of the hottest teams since we turned the page to 2013.
–They are 2 of 9 teams to have won at least 6 games thus far in 2013.

*Even after losing Wednesday’s game, the Celtics already have more wins in January (6-2 record) than they did in all of December (5-9 record).
–The Celtics need just 3 more wins to match their win total from November (9-6 record).

*The Bulls have the 3^rd best point differential (+2.2) among Eastern Conference teams.
–The Celtics are 1 of only 3 current playoff teams with a negative point differential.

*The Bulls are 5-0 in Friday games this season.

*Since leaving the Celtics to coach the Bulls, Tom Thibodeau is 6-4 against Boston.
–Since 2010-11, the Celtics are 3-0 against the Bulls when the Celtics score at least 100 points.
–Since 2010-11, the Celtics are 3-0 in meetings in which they shot at least 50% from the field.
–Celtics FG% against the Bulls since 2010-11 (from best to worst): 53% (Celtics W), 51% (W), 51% (W), 49% (W), 43% (L), 43% (L), 41% (L), 40% (L), 38% (L) and 38% (L).

*The Bulls have won their last 4 road games, tied for their longest road winning streak of 2012-13.

*The Celtics are 2-7 this season when being outrebounded by at least 10.
–They are 6-11 this season when being outrebounded by at least 5.
–They are 14-7 when outrebounding their opponent or being outrebounded by 5 or fewer.

*After Wednesday’s loss, the Celtics are 24-9 since 2007-08 (including the playoffs) when Paul Pierce has double-digit rebounds.

*The Celtics had some extremely bad free throw shooting and 3-point shooting on Wednesday.
–It was their worst 3-point shooting performance (4 for 18, 22%) of the season in regulation when attempting at least 18 threes.
–It was the first time since 1994 (!!!) that the Celtics shot 37.5% or worse from the free throw line in a single game.

*The Celtics now have a better field goal percentage than their opponent in 7 consecutive games, which is the team’s longest streak this season.
–The Celtics are 17-4 this season when they have a better field goal percentage.
–The Bulls are 18-1 this season when they have a better field goal percentage.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Bulls
–Since 2007-08, the Boston is 12-9 against the Bulls.

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time NBA Field Goals Made–
10. John Havlicek 10,513
11. Dominique Wilkins 9,963
12. Kevin Garnett 9,962            (Garnett needs 2 to move into 11^th place)

–All-Time NBA Points Scored–
21. Ray Allen 23,355
22. Robert Parish 23,334
23. Paul Pierce 23,329            (Pierce needs 6 to move into 22^nd place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Steals–
1. Larry Bird 1,556
2. Paul Pierce 1,554                        (Pierce needs 3 to move into 1^st place)
3. Rajon Rondo 904