3/5/12: Celtics @ 76ers Stat Pack

*Via Sean Grande: “On March 4, 2002, the Celtics came to Philadelphia 31-27, they won & closed 18-6. On March 4, 2013, the Celtics come to Philadelphia 31-27.”
–Boston won that 2002 game, 100-94, behind a game-high 28 points from Paul Pierce.
–In 2002, the Celtics then defeated the 76ers in 5 games in the first round of the playoffs (3-2 when the first-round series was a 5-gamer).
–In 2002, Boston advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals that year, but lost to New Jersey in 6 games.
–In 2001-02, Jim O’Brien was the coach and the starting lineup for that March 4, 2002 game was Kenny Anderson, Tony Delk, Pierce, Antoine Walker and Vitaly Potapenko.
–The only remaining Celtic from that 2001-02 team is Pierce.

*Although the 76ers are in 9^th place in the Eastern Conference, they have the 5^th-worst scoring differential (-3.7) in the NBA this season.

*Not too long ago the Celtics were closer to missing the playoffs than getting home court.
–The Celtics are now just 2 games out of the 4^th spot (Bulls and Nets) in the Eastern Conference standings.
–The Celtics are 8 games above the 76ers (9^th place).

*The Celtics are 5-1 in their last 6 games in which they played on at least 3 days rest.

*While the 76ers have lost their last 10 contests on the road, the 76ers are still an above .500 home squad.
-One of their 17 home victories this season was their 95-94 overtime win against the Celtics in December.

*Jason Terry is just eight 3-pointers away from his 13^th straight season (2000-01 to 2011-13) of making at least 100 three-pointers.
–Paul Pierce became the first player to do so from 2000-01 to 2012-13.
–Ray Allen: one 3-pointer away from his 14^th straight such season (1999-2000 to 2011-13).
–No other NBA players will be able to make it at least a 13^th straight such season in 2012-13.
–The record for the most consecutive seasons of at least 100 three pointers made is held by Reggie Miller: 15 seasons (1989-90 to 2003-04).

*The Celtics have had fewer offensive rebounds than their opponent in 17 consecutive games, tied for the longest streak of any team since 1985-86.
–Teams also with 17 straight games: Golden State Warriors (2012) and Toronto Raptors (2003-04).

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. 76ers
–A win for the 76ers Tuesday would mean that Philadelphia takes the season series from the Celtics, 3-1.
–The last time the 76ers won a regular season series of at least 4 games against the Celtics was 2006-07 (also 3-1).

*Milestone Watch:

–Chris Wilcox is 2 rebounds away from 3,000 for his career–

–All-Time NBA Rebounds–
9. Walt Bellamy 14,241
10. Hal Greer 13,769
11. Kevin Garnett 13,758            (Garnett needs 12 to move into 27^th place)

–All-Time NBA Minutes–
26. Otis Thorpe 39,822
27. Hal Greer 39,788
28. Paul Pierce 39,756            (Pierce needs 33 to move into 27^th place)