1/24/12: Celtics vs. Knicks Stat Pack

*Through 41 games this season, the Celtics have lost 4 consecutive games for the 2^nd time this season.
–In 2011-12, the Celtics had 2 losing streaks of at least 4 games (both 5-game losing streaks).
–From 2007-08 to 2010-11 (328 combined regular season games), the Celtics had only ONE losing streak of at least 4 games).

*Kevin Garnett may finish with his worst season plus/minus in a while.
–2012-13: +14 (41 games played)
–2011-12: +269 (60)
–2010-11: +551 (71)
–2009-10: +310 (69)
–2008-09: +473 (57)
–2007-08: +737 (71)
–2006-07: +9 (76) – his lowest plus/minus since 2000-01
–2005-06: +40 (76)
–2004-05: +144 (82)
–2003-04: +614 (82)
–2002-03: +422 (82)
–2001-02: +358 (81)
–2000-01: +204 (81)

*The Celtics’ four-game losing streak is tied with the Lakers for the longest current losing streak in the NBA.

*The New York Knicks have lost 6 of their last 10 games, which is the worst record over that span among the top 10 winning percentage teams in the league.

*Raymond Felton’s absence from this game will also help the Celtics.
–The Knicks have posted a 20-8 record in his 28 games started this season, but a pinkie injury has forced him to miss the last 11 contests.
–The Knicks have lost six of those games, including January 7th at Madison Square Garden against the Celtics, and are shooting worse from the field and three-point without Felton playing.

*The Celtics and Knicks have had a similar strength of schedule this season and the Celtics find themselves 6 games behind the Knicks.
–Celtics: 16^th toughest schedule (.497)
–Knicks: tied for 18^th toughest schedule (.495)

*Via @HPbasketball: “According to Synergy, when Bradley was guarding Irving, only as primary defender no his actual shot attempt, Irving scored 6 points.”

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Knicks
–The Celtics are a perfect 12-0 against the Knicks at TD Garden since 2007-08 (including the playoffs).
–The Celtics’ last home loss to the Knicks: November 24, 2006. Knicks’ starting lineup that night: Quentin Richardson, Steve Francis, Eddy Curry, Channing Frye and Stephon Marbury. Celtics’ starting lineup that night: Paul Pierce, Sebastian Telfair, Wally Szczerbiak, Ryan Gomes and Kendrick Perkins.
–The Celtics are 21-4 overall against the Knicks since 2007-08 (including playoffs).

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time NBA Regular Season Games Played–
12. Elvin Hayes 1,303
T-13. Mark Jackson 1,296
T-13. Kevin Garnett 1,296            (Garnett moves into 13^th place by playing Thursday)

–All-Time NBA Points Scored–
20. Charles Barkley 23,757
21. Ray Allen 23,373
22. Paul Pierce 23,364            (Pierce needs 10 to move into 21^st place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Assists–
4. Bill Russell 4,100
5. Paul Pierce 4,093                        (Pierce needs 8 to move into 4^th place)
6. Rajon Rondo 3,921                        (Rondo needs 173 to move into 5^th place)