Monday, March 31, 2014

By The Numbers: The Moneyball Celtics

http://www.celticshub.com/2014/03/31/numbers-moneyball-celtics/

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Celtics at Bulls Stat Pack

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*After starting 2-3 on the second game of back-to-backs this season, the Celtics have lost 10 of their last 12 second games of back-to-backs.
–The Bulls have won 6 of their last 7 games when playing the second game of a back-to-back after losing their previous 6 ones.

*The Celtics have made at least 10 free throws in each of their last 32 games, which is the franchise’s longest streak since 2010 (also 32 straight regular-season games).
–Last time they went more than 32 in a row in the regular season: December 2007 to April 2008 (56 games)
–For comparison purposes, the Thunder had a 329-game streak of double-digit makes at the line in the regular season from 2009 to 2013.

*Joakim Noah, the “point center” – he had a team-high 92 touches on Sunday, which were 22.5 percent of the team’s touches that game.
–In comparison, the only player to have more touches in that contest was Rajon Rondo (109).

*On Sunday, the Celtics attempted 47 uncontested shots and shot just 47 percent on those shots.
–They went 18-of-40 on contested shots (45 percent).
–The Bulls shot a whopping 60 percent on contested shots on Sunday (25-of-42). They shot 43 percent on uncontested shots (12-of-28).

*The Celtics’ 9-game road losing streak is tied for the 2nd-worst active one in the NBA.
–Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the only other Celtics’ road losing streak that was longer was the 10-game one earlier this season.
–The last time the C’s lost more than 10 road games in a row: January/February 2007 (12 in a row)

*Monday is Avery Bradley 200th career NBA game.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Bulls
–Tom Thibodeau is 6-1 against the Celtics at the United Center.
–The Bulls have taken 9 of the last 12 overall meetings from the Celtics.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Celtics vs. Bulls Stat Pack

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*The last time the Celtics won the first game of a back-to-back was November 29 against the Cavaliers (11 straight losses for the C’s in the first game of back-to-backs).
–The Bulls have dropped 4 of their 6 when playing the first game of a back-to-back.
–For Monday: the Bulls have won 6 of their last 7 games when playing the second game of a back-to-back.

*The Celtics and Bulls own 2 of the 3 worst offensive effective field goal percentages in the league this season.
–28th overall: Celtics (.473)
–30th overall: Bulls (.466)

*Only one team in the NBA has a better defensive efficiency and worse offensive efficiency than the Celtics (T-15th in defense with Brooklyn and 28th in offense) this season.
–Chicago: 2nd in defense and 29th in offense

*The Celtics and Bulls are both in the bottom 10 in the league in handling the basketball this season.
–14.1 percent of the Celtics’ possessions have ended in a turnover this season, but they have been a lot better since Rajon Rondo returned.
–Without Derrick Rose, it has been ugly for Chicago. 14.4 percent of the Bulls’ possessions have ended in a turnover this season.

*The Celtics have made at least 10 free throws in each of their last 31 games, which is the franchise’s longest streak since 2010 (32 straight regular-season games).

*For Monday: the Celtics’ 9-game road losing streak is tied for the 2nd-worst active one in the NBA.
–Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the only other Celtics’ road losing streak that was longer was the 10-game one done earlier this season.

*For Monday: when Avery Bradley steps on the court on the second night of the back-to-back, it will be his 200th career NBA game.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Bulls
–The Bulls have taken 8 of the last 11 overall meetings from the Celtics.
–For Monday: Tom Thibodeau is 6-1 against the Celtics at the United Center.

Friday, March 28, 2014

By The Numbers: It is Time to Appreciate Brandon Bass

http://www.celticshub.com/2014/03/28/numbers-time-appreciate-brandon-bass/

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Celtics at Raptors Stat Pack

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*Wednesday was the first time since 2002 that the Celtics had at least 8 made 3-pointers in a loss to a Raptors team (11 straight victories before that loss).
–It was the first time since 2012 that the Celtics had at least 8 made 3-pointers against a Raptors team.

*Brandon Bass’s March has been frustrating.
–His true shooting percentage of 50 percent would match his lowest for a month this season.
–His performance from the free throw line has dipped a bit as he has been to the stripe less often recently. He has attempted just 22 free throws this month. His fewest in a full month this season is 34 (February).
–For the first time in a year, he is averaging single-digit points in a single month.

*However, heading into Friday, Brandon Bass has played in 212 consecutive games, including 26 playoff games.
–Only 12 NBA players have participated in more regular-season and playoff games than he has since joining the Celtics at the beginning of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.

*After attempting his shots at an average of 11.5 feet in his first 2 seasons in Boston, Bass is down to 9 feet per attempt this season.

*The Raptors are 5-19 this season when their opponent hits more 3-pointers than they do.
–35-12 otherwise (1 of those 35 wins came on Wednesday)

*The Raptors are now 34-19 without Rudy Gay after being 6-12 with him this season.

*Heading into Wednesday’s game, Rajon Rondo has 4 consecutive games of at least 12 assists for the first time since 2012 when he put together 11 straight regular-season games.

*The Celtics have made at least 10 free throws in each of their last 30 games, which is the franchise’s longest streak since 2010 (32 straight regular-season games).

*The Celtics’ 8-game road losing streak is currently only the 3rd-worst active one in the NBA.
–Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the only other Celtics’ road losing streak that was longer was 10 (done earlier this season).
–The last day of the 10-game road losing streak was January 21. If the C’s win on Friday, the last day of their current 8-game road losing streak would be March 21.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Raptors
–Neither the Celtics nor the Raptors have scored 100 points in any of their last 3 meetings.
–If Friday is another game played below 100 points, it will match the longest streak (done in 2007) of consecutive meetings played in the double-digits between these 2 teams all-time.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Celtics vs. Raptors Stat Pack

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*If the Raptors would have won on Tuesday, they would have matched their best 70-game start in franchise history (40-30 in 1999-2000).
–They still have a chance at their best regular season (record-wise) in franchise history, which is 47-35 (done in 2000-01 and 2006-07).

*The Raptors are 5-19 this season when their opponent hits more 3-pointers than they do.
–34-12 otherwise (1 of those 12 losses came on Tuesday)

*The Raptors are 33-19 without Rudy Gay after being 6-12 with him this season.

*The Raptors are 7-7 on the second night of back-to-backs this season. Their 108.6 points per 100 possessions and +5.5 plus/minus per 100 possessions on no rest are their best for a certain number of days of rest this season (minimum: 2 games).
–104.3 points and +2.2 plus/minus on 1 day of rest (41 games)
–105.0 points and +3.3 plus/minus on 2 days of rest (9 games)
–102.8 points and +2.8 plus/minus on 3 days of rest (3 games)

*Heading into Wednesday’s game, Rajon Rondo has 3 consecutive games of at least 12 assists for the first time since November 2012.

*The Celtics have made at least 10 free throws in each of their last 29 games, which is the franchise’s longest streak since 2010 (32 straight regular-season games).

*The last time the C’s faced the Raptors: Phil Pressey had a stat line of 0 points, 10 assists and 0 turnovers, which was the first of that kind since Dennis Johnson on November 8, 1989 (0 points, 11 assists and 0 turnovers that night on the road against the Washington Bullets).

*For Friday: the Celtics’ 8-game road losing streak is currently only the 3rd-worst active one in the NBA.
–Since the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the only other Celtics’ road losing streak that was longer was 10 (done earlier this season).

*With two more losses this past weekend, the Orlando Magic joined the Celtics in finishing 0-15 on the road against the Western Conference this season.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Raptors
–The Raptors’ last win in Boston was January 23, 2008.
–Toronto’s 11 straight losses at the Garden represent the longest active losing streak for any NBA team in Boston.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Celtics at Nets Stat Pack

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*The Celtics’ 13 made 3-pointers on Wednesday were their most at home in a regulation game since January 25, 2009.

*The Nets have won 10 consecutive home games, which is the longest active streak in the league and tied for the 3rd-best in the NBA this season (longest: 13 by the Thunder in November/December).
--The last time the Nets won that many home games in a row in the regular season: 2005-06 (12 games).
--The Celtics’ current road losing streak is at 7.

*Dwyane Wade’s plus/minus of -21 was his first plus/minus of -20 or worse since Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
--His last -20 in the regular season: December 6, 2012
--His last -20 vs. the Celtics: Game 2 of the first-round series in the 2010 playoffs
--His last -20 vs. the Celtics in the regular season: January 29, 2008

*The Nets remain the only NBA team that currently has a .500 or better record and a negative point differential.

*Without LeBron James on Wednesday, the Heat allowed the Celtics to shoot 50 uncontested shots (compared to just 27 contested shots).
--Miami attempted 33 uncontested shots (compared to 48 contested shots) on Wednesday.

*The Magic team (now 0-13 on the road against the Western Conference this season) will be in Utah Saturday and at Staples against the Lakers on Sunday.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Nets
--The Nets and Celtics have alternated wins and losses the last 6 meetings away from Boston.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

By The Numbers: No Luck of the Irish in the West

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Celtics vs. Heat Stat Pack

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*On Monday, the Celtics went on the road and outrebounded a team by more than 20 rebounds for only the 2nd time since 1996 (other time: at Sacramento on December 28, 2008 in 108-63 win).

*Miami has been outrebounded in each of its last 9 games, the longest current streak in the league and tied for the 6th-longest overall streak in the league this season.

*Since March 1, the Heat’s opponents are averaging 107.4 points per 100 possessions, the 8th-most in the NBA.
–This season, Miami is the 12th-best defensive efficiency team.

*Miami is 9-3 on the 2nd night of back-to-backs this season.

*Kris Humphries has at least 12 rebounds in each of his last 3 games.
–Only once in his career has he had a longer streak (February/March 2011: 7 games).

*Kelly Olynyk’s NBA career-high plus/minus is +16 (December 31, 2013).
–His NBA career-high plus/minus on the road was +13 (February 10) before his +15 on Monday at Dallas.

*The last 20 times that the Celtics have gone to a Western Conference building, they have fallen.
–The 2012-13 Detroit Pistons (coached by Lawrence Frank) also did not win a road contest against an opponent from the Western Conference. Those Pistons were 4-26 overall against the West. The 2013-14 Celtics also went 4-26 against the West.
–The 2013-14 Orlando Magic team (with E’Twaun Moore) is on its way to doing the same. Orlando is currently 0-12 on the road against the Western Conference and is in Phoenix Wednesday, in Utah Saturday and at Staples against the Lakers on Sunday.
–Via Elias: “That’s the longest current road losing streak in interconference games in the NBA and the longest in Celtics history.”
–The last time the green won a road game against a Western Conference opponent: February 25, 2013 against the Utah Jazz.

*Although Jerryd Bayless had a strong game on Monday, he could have done better if he hit more open shots.
–He made just 5 of his 14 uncontested field goals (36 percent), which is worse than the 39 percent Celtics team uncontested field goal percentage and the 42 percent Mavericks team uncontested field goal percentage on Monday.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Heat
–The last time the C’s faced the Heat: it was the first time that the Celtics held the Heat to 16 or fewer free throws in a game when LeBron has played for Miami.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Celtics at Mavericks Stat Pack

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*On Sunday, the Celtics scored their most 2nd-quarter points in a game this season (39).
–The Celtics also matched their most points in a half this season with 64.
–The Celtics’ 120 points were their most against the Pelicans franchise since 1999.

*The Mavericks’ 587 steals are the 2nd-most in the NBA this season (76ers with 619).

*Kris Humphries got his 2nd straight double-double on Sunday, giving him just his 2nd set of back-to-back double-doubles since the beginning of 2012-13 season (other one came in January 2014).
–Last time he had 3 straight double-doubles: April 2012

*Anthony Davis became the first home player to score at least 30 points against the Celtics this season.
–The Celtics were the last team to have that occur against them this season.
–Before Davis, the last player to do that at home against the Celtics in the regular season: Jerryd Bayless (March 23, 2013).

*After the Celtics gave up more uncontested shots than contested ones to their opponent against the Knicks and Suns, the Celtics attempted more uncontested shots (50) than contested ones (47) on Sunday.
–The Celtics contested 63 of the Pelicans’ 94 shot attempts (67 percent) on Sunday.
–Unfortunately, New Orleans shot 54 percent on the contested shots as opposed to 42 percent on the uncontested shots.

*The Celtics and Mavericks like Mondays.
–The C’s are 4-3 this season on Mondays, their best record for any day and the only day that they are above .500.
–The Mavs are 7-2 on Mondays this season, their best record for any day.


*The last time the Celtics faced the Mavericks: Rajon Rondo became the first player since 2006 with the following stat line: 15 points, 3 made 3-pointers, 8 rebounds, 12 assists and 0 turnovers.
–Before Rondo, the last player to accomplish a line like that was Jason Kidd on February 26, 2006.

*The Celtics have yet to beat a team from the Southwest Division (0-9) this season.
–Only once in Celtics history did the team go winless against a division in a single season: 0-10 against the Pacific Division (2006-07).
–The Bucks are the only other team this season to be winless against at least one division (0-10 vs. Southwest Division).
–The last team to go winless against a division in a single season: the 2012-13 Bobcats (0-10 vs. Pacific Division)
–The last team to go winless against the Southwest Division in a single season: the 2007-08 Knicks (0-10 against both the Southwest Division and Pacific Division)

*The last 19 times that the Celtics have gone to a Western Conference building, they have fallen.
–Via Elias: “That’s the longest current road losing streak in interconference games in the NBA and the longest in Celtics history.”
–The last time the green won a road game against a Western Conference opponent: February 25, 2013 against the Utah Jazz.

*Surprisingly, the Celtics did not play on St. Patrick’s Day in either 2013 or 2011, but they have participated in all the other years on St. Patrick’s Day since 2006.

*Happy 55th birthday to Danny Ainge today.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Mavericks
–Dallas has won its last 6 regulation games against Boston (C’s won in double-overtime in 2012).

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Celtics at Pelicans Stat Pack

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*The Pelicans are 22-6 when having a better field-goal percentage than their opponent this season, but are 4-33 when they do not.
–The Celtics are 10-0 this season when outshooting their opponent by at least six percent, but are 12-44 otherwise.

*The last time the Celtics faced the Pelicans: the Celtics had 3 different double-digit rebounders in the same game for the first time since April 11, 2012.

*The last time the Celtics won on the first night of a back-to-back was November 29 against the Cavaliers (10 straight losses for C’s on the first night of back-to-backs).

*Rajon Rondo had just 5 assists on Friday, and the Celtics are now 0-10 this season when he plays and has 8 or fewer assists.

*Avery Bradley is now 10 minutes away from a new career-high for minutes played in a season (would pass 1,435 in 2012-13).

*Jeff Green is just 7 free throws made away from matching his single-season career-high in that category (242 in 2008-09 with the Thunder).

*Kris Humphries had another fast start on Friday. He extended his season-best streak of double-digit scoring to 4 games.
–The last time he went at least 4 games in a row: March/April 2012 (5 straight games)

*For the 2nd consecutive game, the Celtics gave up more uncontested shots than contested ones to their opponent.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Pelicans
–The Pelicans have won their last 4 games against the Celtics.

*For St. Patrick’s Day: surprisingly, the Celtics did not play on St. Patrick’s Day in either 2013 or 2011, but they have participated in all the other years on St. Patrick’s Day since 2006.

*In addition, a happy 55th birthday to Danny Ainge on March 17.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Celtics vs. Suns Stat Pack

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*Jeff Green made 6 field goals in the 3rd quarter on Wednesday.
–The only Celtic with more field goals made in a quarter this season was Jared Sullinger (7 in the 4th quarter on November 27, 2013).

*The Knicks’ 116 points on Wednesday were their most in Boston since 1996.
–The Knicks’ 24-point margin against the Celtics was their highest in Boston since 2006. It was only the 5th time in NBA history that the Knicks beat the Celtics by at least 24 points on the road.

*Via Elias: “[Wednesday] was the first game of [Eric] Bledsoe’s NBA career in which he registered more than six assists without turning the ball over.”

*Fun with Numbers: The Celtics and Suns are both 3-7 in their last 10 games.
–The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 home games.
–The Suns are 5-5 in their last 10 road games.
–The Celtics are 3-7 in their last 10 road games.
–The Suns are 5-5 in their last 10 home games.

*The Suns are the 2nd-best team in corner 3-pointer made differential (made corner 3’s minus opponent corner 3’s). The only team that is better this season is the Trail Blazers.
–The Celtics are 9th-best in corner 3-pointer differential this season. They are the only top-10 team in that category that does not have an above-.500 record this season.
–The Suns have made the 3rd-most total corner 3’s in the league this season (180). The Celtics are in the middle of the pack with 134.
–The Suns have given up the 6th-fewest total corner 3’s in the league this season (111 – tied with the Warriors). The Celtics are tied for the 2nd-best team in that category (99 – tied with the Bulls).

*When the Suns outshoot their opponent this season, they are 32-3.
–Otherwise: 4-25

*The Suns’ 3 losses in a row have matched their longest losing streak in 2014.
–Their longest losing streak of the season is 4 games (in November).

*Rajon Rondo’s season-high 22 field goal attempts against the Suns earlier this season were his most since Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals (the previous time that he accomplished that feat in the regular season: February 15, 2012).
–It was only the 3rd time in Rondo’s regular-season career that he had at least 22 field goal attempts.
–His 2nd-highest field goal attempts total this season remains 15 (done twice).

*Rondo has multiple steals in each of his last 3 games, which is his longest streak this season.
–The last time he went at least 4 games in a row was December 2012.

*Avery Bradley is just 26 minutes away from matching his career-high for minutes played in a season (1,435 in 2012-13).

*With 1 more 3-pointer, Jeff Green would set a new single-season career-high for 3-pointers made (104 in 2009-10 with the Thunder).
–He is just 11 free throws made away from matching his single-season career-high in that category (242 in 2008-09 with the Thunder).

*On Wednesday, Cole Aldrich recorded just his 3rd career NBA double-double.
–It was his first not in the month of April.

*On Wednesday, the Knicks attempted 6 more uncontested field goals than contested ones.
–The Celtics attempted 19 more contested field goals than uncontested ones.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Suns
–The Celtics and Suns have alternated victories the last 5 times they have met in Boston.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Celtics vs. Knicks Stat Pack

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*On Tuesday, Rajon Rondo played an entire half for the first time this season.

*Rondo has multiple steals in each of his last 3 games, his longest streak this season.
–The last time he went 4 games in a row was December 2012.

*With 2 more 3-pointers, Jeff Green would match his single-season career-high for 3-pointers made (104 in 2009-10 with the Thunder).
–He is just 16 free throws made away from matching his single-season career-high in that category (242 in 2008-09 with the Thunder).

*The Knicks are 1-30 when trailing at halftime this season (worst record in the NBA).
–The Celtics are 2-30 when trailing at halftime this season.

*The Knicks are 1-32 when trailing at the end of 3 quarters this season (also worst record in the NBA).
–The Celtics are 3-33 when trailing at the end of 3 quarters this season.
–1 of those 3 victories was on December 13 when the Celtics hosted the Knicks at TD Garden.

*The Knicks are 10-0 this season when scoring at least 110 points in a non-overtime game.

*The Knicks’ turnover percentage is 12.4 percent, the 3rd-best mark in the league this season.

*13 of Rajon Rondo’s 15 shot attempts on Tuesday were contested.
–He made just 4 of those 13 contested shot attempts.

*On this date in Celtics history: Larry Bird scored a franchise-best 60 points at Atlanta.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Knicks
–Maybe this one is a stretch, but in regular-season history, the last time either of these teams did not win two or more consecutive games in Boston was 1983.
–A Knicks win on Wednesday would break that 31-year streak of not alternating wins (as in win-loss-win) in Boston.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Recap: Pacers 94, Celtics 83

Recap: http://www.celticshub.com/2014/03/11/recap-pacers-94-celtics-83/

Plus Around the Association: http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400489823

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Celtics at Pacers Stat Pack

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*The last time the Celtics won on the first night of a back-to-back was November 29 against the Cavaliers (9 straight losses for C’s on the first night of back-to-backs).
–Andrew Bynum started that Celtics-Cavaliers game on November 29. It is also the last time he faced the Celtics.

*Since signing with the Pacers on February 1, Bynum has missed all 18 games that the team has played.

*When C.J. Watson has played fewer than 15 minutes this season (including the games he has missed), the Pacers are 4-9 (otherwise: 42-8).
–The only Pacers game this season that Watson has missed and Indiana has won was November 22 at Boston.
–The Pacers are 9-0 when Watson plays at least 25 minutes this season. They are 19-1 when he plays at least 20 minutes this season.

*The only NBA team with a longer active losing streak than the Pacers: the 76ers.
–The Pacers’ 4-game losing streak is their longest since March 2012.

*Over the last 3 games, the Pacers are the league’s worst team in terms of point differential (-19.7).

*Over the last 3 games, the Pacers own the worst 3rd-quarter differential in the NBA (-10.3).
–They are still the NBA’s best 3rd-quarter team overall and at home this season.
–Overall 3rd-quarter differential: +3.9
–Home 3rd-quarter differential: +5.8

*The Pacers are also the league’s best team in home point differential this season (+13.0).

*Via Elias: “The Pacers were 46-13 before their current four-game losing streak. It’s the first time in three years that a team lost four consecutive games despite being at least 30 games over .500 when the losing streak began. The Spurs (six-game losing streak, 34 games over .500), Lakers (5, 35) and Mavericks (4, 32) all did it March/April 2011.”

*Even with this losing streak, the Pacers are still the best defensive team in the league. They lead the NBA in the following categories:
–Points allowed per 100 possessions (95.6)
–Opponent field-goal percentage within the restricted area (53.4%)
–Opponent field-goal percentage on shots within 5 feet (51.5%)
–Opponent field-goal percentage on shots within 8 feet (49.2%)
–Opponent 2-point field-goal percentage (44.1%)
–Opponent effective field-goal percentage (45.9%)

*The Pacers’ 46-17 start is the franchise’s 2nd-best 63-game start to a season.
–Their best was 47-16 in 2003-04 when the Pacers swept the C’s in the first round.

*According to the Pacers’ game notes: the Pacers have a winning record on their home court for the 25th consecutive season, the longest streak in the NBA.
–The Pacers’ 29-4 home record this season is the best in the league.

*The Pacers are 7-0 at home this season against the Atlantic Division.

*The Pacers have played the fewest games (5) that have been decided by 3 or fewer points this season.
–They own a 2-3 record in those games this season.

*The Pacers have had fewer assists than their opponent in each of their last 6 games, their longest streak since February/March 2011.

*The Celtics’ performance of 38 assists and 5 turnovers in a game was only the 3rd one of that kind in the NBA over the last 2 decades.
–January 23, 2008: the Cavaliers had 39 assists and 5 turnovers.
–February 28, 2003: the Timberwolves had 40 assists and 4 turnovers.

*The Celtics’ 118 points on Sunday were their 2nd-most against the Pistons since the beginning of the 1995-96 season.

*Before Kelly Olynyk on Sunday, the last Celtic to score at least 18 points in 18 or fewer minutes in the regular season was Al Jefferson in 2005.
–Paul Pierce did it in the 2012 playoffs, Rasheed Wallace did it in 2010 playoffs and Leon Powe did it in 2008 playoffs.

*Jeff Green now has 4 separate games of at least 5 made 3-pointers this season (there have been only 3 other such performances by players in green jerseys this season).
–The last Celtic to have at least 4 such games in a single regular season: Ray Allen (4 in 2011-12)
–Last Celtic with at least 5: Ray Allen (12 in 2008-09)

*With 2 more 3-pointers, Green would match his single-season career-high for 3-pointers (104 in 2009-10 with the Thunder).
–He is just 22 free throws made away from matching his single-season career-high in that category (242 in 2008-09 with the Thunder).

*Kris Humphries had a season-high 20 points on Sunday.
–The C’s also finally won a game with a Humphries double-double (now 1-5 this season).

*Rajon Rondo has attempted at least 5 shots from 3-point distance in each of his last 4 games.
–He never had done it 3 straight games before this most recent stretch.

*Kyle Singler hustled up and down the court on Sunday. His 2.9 miles covered were the most for a player in a game involving the Celtics since Jeff Green’s 2.9 miles on February 22 at Sacramento.

*The Celtics currently own the championship belt (nbachampionshipbelt.com) and will be looking to defend it again on Tuesday.

*The Celtics have yet to give up 30 points to a player on the road this season.
–Every other team has already given up at least 2 such performances.
–The last home player to score at least 30 points against the Celtics in the regular season: Jerryd Bayless (March 23, 2013).

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Pacers
–With a Pacers victory on Tuesday, they will sweep the season series from the Celtics for the first time since 1998-99.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Celtics vs. Pistons Stat Pack

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*Heading into Sunday, Rajon Rondo has had back-to-back games of at least 7 turnovers for just the 2nd time in his career.
–He has never gone 3 straight games with that many turnovers.

*Rondo has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his last 4 games, the longest streak of his career.

*The Pistons have lost each of their last 8 road games.
–The last time they lost at least 9 road games in a row: February 23 to April 5, 2011 (11 in a row).

*Before Friday, the last time the Celtics won a game in which they committed at least 25 turnovers was November 8, 2006.
–Last time in a non-overtime game: December 23, 2001.

*On Friday, the Celtics became the first NBA team to commit 25 turnovers and allow fewer than 85 points since the Lakers did so on January 8, 2012 (against the Grizzlies).
–The last time the Celtics accomplished this feat: December 23, 2001 (also against the Grizzlies).

*On Friday, Rondo had at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in the same game for just the 9th time in his regular-season career (11th time overall).
–Last time: November 12, 2012

*It was also just the 3rd time in Rondo’s career that he had a stat line of at least 20 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals in the same game.
–Friday was his first time with that stat line at TD Garden.

*Kris Humphries has posted a negative plus/minus in each last 8 games, tying his single-season career-high.
–He had 8 straight negative plus/minus games from March 8 to 22, 2010 (with the Nets) and from December 15, 2004 to January 3, 2005 (with the Jazz).
–His longest overall regular-season streak is 9 games: April 15 to November 14, 2007 (with the Raptors).

*Jerryd Bayless played a season-high 39 minutes in Friday’s game.
–Last time he played at least 39 minutes in a game: January 31, 2013
–Last time he played at least 39 minutes in a home game: April 13, 2011

*It was an odd Friday night for the Nets: they shot 6-of-32 (19 percent) on their uncontested shots. They went 23-of-48 (48 percent) on contested shots.

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Pistons
–With two more losses to the Pistons this season, this would be the first time that the Celtics were swept by the Pistons since 2006-07.
–The C’s have dropped 6 of the last 7 meetings between the 2 squads.

Friday, March 7, 2014

By The Numbers: Does Kris Humphries Have Much Left in the Tank This Season?

http://www.celticshub.com/2014/03/07/numbers-kris-humphries-much-left-tank-season/

Celtics vs. Nets Stat Pack

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*Kris Humphries has posted a negative plus/minus in each last 7 games, which is just one game off his single-season career-high.
–8 straight negative plus/minus games from March 8 to 22, 2010 (with the Nets) and from December 15, 2004 to January 3, 2005 (with the Jazz)

*The Nets have won each of their last 4 games and are the only Eastern Conference team with a current winning streak of at least 2 games.

*The Nets are also the only NBA team that currently has a .500 or better record and a negative point differential.

*Rajon Rondo’s 7 turnovers on Wednesday were his most since January 20, 2013.
–Unsurprisingly, the Celtics have lost each of the last 4 regular-season games (5 games including the playoffs) when Rondo has turned the ball over at least 7 times. However, they had never lost 2 such games in a row before that 4 regular-season game stretch.

*On Wednesday, the Celtics shot better on their contested shots (14-of-35, 40 percent) than they did on the uncontested shots (16-of-41, 39 percent).

*The Celtics have given up at least 100 points in each of their last 8 games. It is their first such streak of this length since December 2004/January 2005 (11 in a row).

*The Celtics have been outshot overall in each of their last 8 games, which is their longest streak since March 2003 (8 in a row) and is tied for the longest overall streak this season (done 3 times before: one each by Jazz, Bulls and Blazers).
–Last team to do at least 9 games in a row: Kings (9 in a row from April 12 to November 8, 2013)
–Last Celtics team to do at least 9 games in a row: February 2001 (9 games)

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Nets
–The Celtics have lost their last 3 meetings with the Nets and 5 of their last 6.
–The C’s were 17-2 against the Nets from the beginning of the 2007-08 season to the end of the 2011-12 season.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Celtics vs. Warriors Stat Pack

3:5:14 Pic
*14 of Jeff Green’s 22 field goal attempts on Saturday were contested. Those 14 contested shots were a game-high. That is the most contested shot attempts for a Celtic in a game since Rajon Rondo attempted 18 against the Suns on February 19.
–Green made just 4 of those contested 14 shots that night. However, Green made 6 of his 8 uncontested shots on Saturday.

*Rondo had a game-high 3 secondary assists on Saturday. The last Celtic with that many secondary assists was Phil Pressey on January 29.
–The rest of the Celtics had 3 secondary assists on Saturday. The Pacers had 5.

*Rondo, who is averaging 83 touches per game this season (13th-highest in the league), has had at least 100 in each of his last 2 games and at least 100 in 4 of his last 5 games.
–Only 4 players (Isaiah Thomas on February 22, Brandon Knight on February 10, John Wall on January 22 [125 touches in overtime game] and Kendall Marshall on January 17) have had at least 100 touches against the Celtics since Rondo came back on January 17.

*The Warriors are 5-5 this season on no rest.
–They are 31-19 otherwise.

*The Celtics had 5 first-quarter turnovers on Saturday, but had only 3 the rest of the game.
–It was Boston’s 2nd-fewest turnover total in a game this season.

*Rondo has been fantastic from downtown recently.
–Rondo is now 12 of his last 25 from 3-point land after starting 4-of-19 this season.
–He missed his final 13 attempts from 3-point distance in 2012-13.

*Rondo has 3 straight double-doubles for the first time since January 22-25, 2013 (3 in a row).
–The last time he had 4 consecutive double-doubles games was October/November 2012 (7 in a row).

*On Saturday, Kris Humphries had his first double-double since January 21 at Miami. It was just his second home double-double as a Celtic (other one: December 31, 2013 vs. the Hawks)
–Unfortunately, the Celtics are 0-5 this season when Hump has double-doubled.

*Happy belated 22nd birthday to Jared Sullinger.
–The man out of Ohio State had exactly 22 steals and 22 blocks in his rookie year.
–In addition, Sullinger’s career corner 3-point percentage is 22.2 percent.

*The last time Jared Sullinger had more free throw attempts than 3-point attempts in a game was exactly a month ago.

*The Celtics have more offensive rebounds than their opponent in each of their last 9 games, which is their longest streak since February/March 2000 (13 games).
–It is the 3rd-longest streak by any team this season and the longest current streak in the league.
–The longest overall one this season: Grizzlies (14 straight in December/January)

*The Celtics have given up at least 100 points in each of their last 7 games for the first time since December 2004/January 2005 (11 in a row).

*The Celtics have a worse 3-point percentage than their opponent in each of their last 9 games, which matches the longest streak this season (Bucks in December/January).
–It the Celtics’ longest streak since January/February 1993 (9 games).
–Last time the Celtics went 10 in a row in the regular season: April/November 1991

*The Celtics have been outshot overall in each of their last 7 games, which is their longest streak since March 2003 (8 in a row).
–It is also the longest current streak in the league.
–The longest overall ones this season: 8 games (done 3 times: one each by Jazz, Bulls and Blazers)

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Warriors
–The Celtics have won the last 5 times they have hosted the Warriors.
–Last loss: 2006 (Al Jefferson, Baron Davis and Delonte West scored the final 3 buckets of that 96-95 Warriors victory)
–The C’s have also won 8 of their last 9 home games against Golden State.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

By The Numbers: Is This Jeff Green’s Time to Shine?

http://www.celticshub.com/2014/03/01/numbers-jeff-greens-time-shine/

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0318/in_g_greenj_576.jpg

Celtics vs. Pacers Stat Pack

3:1:14 Pic
*On Wednesday, Jerryd Bayless attempted his 3rd-most shots in a game in his career. He hit 5 shots from 3-point distance for only the 4th time in his career and for the first time since March 17, 2012.
–He scored 29 points for the first time since March 23, 2013 (when he scored 30 points against the Celtics as a member of the Grizzlies).

*On Wednesday, Gerald Wallace has his first double-double in more than a year. His last double-double was February 11, 2013.
–He also had his best plus/minus (+25) since April 9, 2013 (+30 in the Nets’ 104-83 victory over the 76ers).
–In Wallace’s 16 starts this season, the C’s were 3-13.

*Rajon Rondo has back-to-back double-doubles for the first time since January 22-25, 2013 (3 in a row).
–The Celtics are now 3-11 with Rondo in the lineup this season.

*Although Rajon Rondo missed his first free throw on Wednesday, he started a new streak. He has now made 5 consecutive free throws heading into Saturday.
–He has attempted a free throw in 4 consecutive games for the first time since January 11 to 18, 2013 (4 in a row).

*Chris Johnson is one of the fastest players in the NBA – only 4 players have played at least 15 games this season and have a faster speed than Johnson’s 4.6 miles per hour.

*On Wednesday, Jeff Green played 40 minutes in a home win for the first time this season.
–He scored at least 17 points and grabbed at least 8 rebounds for the 5th time this season. The Celtics are 4-1 in those games.

*Green’s 16.8 points per game are on pace to be the lowest for a Celtics’ leading scorer since Dee Brown in 1993-94.

*On Saturday, Green will start with Rondo for just the 15th time in his career and each of those games have come in the last month and a half.

*Green has made at least one 3-pointer in 20 consecutive games, the longest streak of his career.

*When Green faces the Pacers, Green will be looking to accomplish another feat for the first time as an NBA player.
–He hopes to put up at least 17 points in his 6th consecutive game.

*There has been odd symmetry with regard to Green’s scoring recently: he has gone for 17, 21, 29, 21 and 17 points in his last 5 games.

*Before Wednesday, the Celtics became just the 2nd team to go 5 straight games allowing at least 100 points and scoring fewer than 100 points (the Magic in January went 6 in a row).
–It was also the first time for the C’s franchise since February 1994 (6 games in a row).

*The Celtics have more offensive rebounds than their opponent in each of their last 8 games, which is their longest streak since January 2001 (8 games).
–It is also the longest current streak in the league.
–The longest overall one this season: Grizzlies (14 straight in December/January)
–On Saturday, the C’s will go for 9 in a row. Last time they had a streak that long: February/March 2000 (13 games)

*The Celtics have given up at least 100 points in each of their last 6 games for the first time since 2010 (6 straight games in March/April 2010).
–Last time the C’s went 7 in a row: December 2004/January 2005 (11 in a row)

*The Celtics have a worse 3-point percentage than their opponent in each of their last 8 games, which is their longest streak since January/February 1993 (9 games).
–It is also the longest current streak in the league.
–The longest overall one this season: Bucks (9 straight in December/January)

*The Celtics have been outshot overall in each of their last 6 games, which is their longest streak since April 2007 (6 games).
–It is also the longest current streak in the league.
–The longest overall ones this season: 8 games (done 3 times: one each by Jazz, Bulls and Blazers)
–Last time the C’s went at least 7 in a row: March 2003 (8 in a row)

*Via Elias: “The Pacers’ 118-98 win over the Lakers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse was their league-high ninth home win this season by at least 20 points. It also improved Indiana’s record to 43-13 (.768), marking the fewest games into any season in its NBA history that the Pacers stood at least 30 games above .500.”

*Recent Meetings: Celtics vs. Pacers
–The Celtics have won 9 of the last 11 and 13 of the last 16 times that they have hosted the Pacers in the regular season.