1/7/12: Celtics @ Knicks Stat Pack

*The New York Knicks are on pace to become the first team in NBA history to finish with more three-pointers made than turnovers committed in a single season.
–Coming into tonight, they have 374 made three-pointers and 362 turnovers.

*In the Knicks’ first 23 games this season (team record: 18-5), they made at least 10 three-pointers 17 times (74% of those games).
–In their last 10 games (team record: 5-5), they made at least 10 three-pointers only 5 times (50% of those games).
–Overall, the Knicks are 18-4 (.818) in games this season that they made at least 10 three-pointers.
–The Celtics are giving up a .371 three-point percentage to opponents this season, the 6^th worst in the NBA.
–The Celtics are 1-6 in regulation games this season in which they have given up at least 10 three-pointers. The only such victory was Saturday against the Hawks.

*After a strong defensive start to the 2012-13 season, the Knicks have fallen back to the pack. They now are tied for the 16^th-best defensive efficiency (102.9 points allowed per 100 possessions).
–In their first 23 games of the season, they gave up at least 100 points only 8 times (35% of those games).
–In their last 10 games, they have given up at least 100 points 6 times (60% of those games).

*The Celtics have not won 3 consecutive games since they had their season-long 3-game winning streak almost 2 months ago.
–Their last streak of at least 3 wins: November 10-14, 2012.

*Impressively, Jared Sullinger has tied Kevin Garnett for the team lead in single-player plus/minus this season at +35.
–3^rd best on the Celtics: Jason Terry +10
–4^th best: Avery Bradley +5
–5^th best: Paul Pierce +1

*Since 2007-08…(Celtics vs. Knicks)
–The Celtics’ 20 combined regular season and postseason victories over the Knicks since 2007-08 are tied for the 2^nd-most for the Celtics against any team (1^st: Heat, 24 … T-2^nd: Hawks, 20).
–The Celtics’ 16 regular season victories over the Knicks since 2007-08 are tied for the 3^rd most for the Celtics against any team (1^st: Nets, 18 … 2^nd: Raptors, 17 … T-3^rd: Heat, 16).

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time NBA Minutes–
29. Mark Jackson 39,121
30. Walt Bellamy 38,940
31. Paul Pierce 38,898            (Pierce needs 43 to move into 30^th place)