*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.
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