1/22/12: Celtics @ Cavaliers Stat Pack

*The Celtics have the Eastern Conference’s longest current losing streak (3 games).
–It is also tied for the NBA’s 2^nd-longest current losing streak.

*The Celtics are exactly 20-20 to start a season for the first time since 2003-04.
–Only once in Celtics franchise history have they finished with the same number of wins and losses (36-36 in 1954-55).

*The Cavaliers have had a better field goal percentage than their opponent in only 8 games this season. They are 6-2 in those games (4-30 otherwise).
–The Celtics are 17-4 in games that they have the better field goal percentage (3-16 otherwise).

*Without Anderson Varejao on the court, the Cavaliers have a much worse rebounding percentage (46.9%) than when he is on the court (52.8%) this season.
–If you take out Varejao’s rebounding, the Cavaliers have the worse rebounding percentage in the NBA.
–Coming into Tuesday, the Cavaliers have been outrebounded in their last 7 games, tied for the 3^rd-longest streak for any team this season.
–The Celtics are 10-3 this season when either outrebounding their opponent or having the same number of rebounds.

*On most nights, the Celtics need Paul Pierce to provide decent scoring for them to win.
–During the Celtics’ current losing streak, Pierce has a .349 FG%, .091 3P% and 11.7 PPG.
–During the Celtics’ 6-game winning streak, Pierce had a .455 FG%, .368 3P% and 18.5 PPG.
–The Celtics are 10-4 when he scores at least 23 points this season (otherwise: 10-16).

*On Friday, Rajon Rondo tied his career-high with 9 turnovers (January 6, 2009 at Charlotte).

*The Celtics have attempted fewer free throws than their opponent in their last 11 games, which is now the longest streak for any team this season.
–This Celtics’ 11-game streak is the franchise’s longest since 1999 (14 games).
–The longest streak in the last 25 seasons is by Detroit Pistons: 21 games.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Cavaliers
–In the post-LeBron era, Boston is 5-2 in those meetings.
–Cleveland has not scored more than 95 points in any of those 7 games.

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time NBA Regular Season Games Played–
12. Elvin Hayes 1,303
13. Mark Jackson 1,296
14. Kevin Garnett 1,295            (Garnett ties for 13^th place by playing Tuesday)

–All-Time NBA Points Scored–
20. Charles Barkley 23,757
21. Ray Allen 23,355
22. Paul Pierce 23,352            (Pierce needs 4 to move into 21^st place)