12/15/12: Celtics @ Spurs Stat Pack

*Since 2011-12 (including the playoffs), when Avery Bradley plays at least 10 minutes, the Celtics record is 40-19.
–When Bradley has been out or plays less than 10 minutes, they are 22-27.

*The Celtics have lost 3 consecutive road games, tied for their 2^nd-longest road losing streak since 2011-12.
–Longest: 5 games (February 10 to 22, 2012)

*The Celtics really like Saturdays. They are 4-1 (.800) on Saturdays this season, their best winning percentage on any day in 2012-13 (minimum 2 games).
–The Spurs like Saturdays, too. They are 5-0 on Saturdays this season.

*The Spurs have 3 players in the Top 25 of single-player plus/minus this season.
–T-7^th: Manu Ginobili (+144)
–11^th: Tony Parker (+139)
–14^th: Tim Duncan (+129)

*The Spurs and Celtics are 2 of the Top 3 NBA teams in Team Assists per Field Goals Made.
–1^st: Chicago (.642)
–2^nd: San Antonio (.635)
–3^rd: Boston (.633)

*The Celtics are now 0-3 this season in games that they used last night’s starting lineup (Rondo, Lee, Pierce, Bass and Garnett).
–The starting lineup of Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass and Garnett is 9-4.

*Milestone Watch:

–Celtics History: All-Time Blocked Shots–
3. Larry Bird 755
4. Kendrick Perkins 646
5. Paul Pierce 645                        (Pierce needs 1 to tie Perkins for 4^th place)

–All-Time NBA Three-Pointers Made–
6. Peja Stojakovic 1,760
7. Dale Ellis 1,719
8. Paul Pierce 1,715                        (Pierce needs 5 to move into 7^th place)

–All-Time NBA Free Throws Made–
11. Charles Barkley 6,349
12. Reggie Miller 6,237
13. Paul Pierce 6,224                        (Pierce needs 14 to move into 12^th place)

12/14/12: Celtics @ Rockets Stat Pack

*Jeff Green, who is now averaging 10 points per game on the season, has scored at least 15 points in his last 3 games, his first such 3-game streak with the Boston Celtics.

*Courtney Lee returns the Toyota Center for the first time since leaving the Houston Rockets.
–In his career, Lee has never beaten the Rockets. He was 0-2 with the Nets in 2009-10 and 0-2 with the Magic in 2008-09.

*The Mavericks’ 27 turnovers on Wednesday were the most by their franchise since 1994.
–It was the 2^nd most turnovers forced by a Celtics team since the 2004-05 season (the most: 28 turnovers by the Portland Trail Blazers on March 9, 2012).
–The 2012-13 Celtics are 9-2 when forcing more turnovers than they commit (3-7 otherwise).

*The Celtics current starting lineup of Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass and Garnett own the 10^th best plus/minus (+35) for a 5-man combination this season.
–1^st in the league: Grizzlies starting lineup (Conley, Allen, Gay, Randolph and Gasol): +81.
–The Celtics are 9-4 with their starting lineup of Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass and Garnett this season (3-5 otherwise).

*Around the NBA:
–The New York Knicks are on pace to become the first team in NBA history to finish with more three-pointers made than turnovers in a season. They current have 264 threes and only 234 turnovers. (Via Inside the NBA)

*Milestone Watch:

–Celtics History: All-Time Blocked Shots–
3. Larry Bird 755
4. Kendrick Perkins 646
5. Paul Pierce 645                        (Pierce needs 1 to tie Perkins for 4^th place)

–All-Time NBA Three-Pointers Made–
6. Peja Stojakovic 1,760
7. Dale Ellis 1,719
8. Paul Pierce 1,713                        (Pierce needs 7 to move into 7^th place)

12/12/12: Celtics vs. Mavs Stat Pack

*Derek Fisher has started all 5 of his games in a Mavericks uniform. The Mavericks are 4-1 in those 5 games and have won the last 3.
–The Mavericks were 7-9 without Fisher.

*Via @BeckleyMason: “Rajon Rondo is shooting like Chris Paul from midrange this year. pic.twitter.com/48PWQSad”
–All I have to say is wow!

*Via @ESPNStatsInfo: “Kevin Garnett is averaging 16 PPG and 7 RPG this season. No player in #Celtics history has done that for a season at the age of 36+.”

*When the Celtics are out-assisted this season, they are 0-6.
–When the Celtics are not out-assisted, they are 11-3 this season.

*When the 2012-13 Celtics have a higher field-goals percentage than their opponent, they have a 9-3 record.
–When the Mavericks have a higher field goal percentage, they are 8-1.

*When the Mavericks outrebound their opponent this season, they are 7-1.
–The Celtics have outrebounded their opponent in only 5 games this season (3-2 record).

*Around the NBA:
–How about Carmelo Anthony’s Tuesday night performance against the Nets! His 45 points are a career-best in a road win. In addition, it is his most points in a Knicks uniform.

–Via @ESPNStatsInfo on Tony Parker’s Monday night triple-double: Elias Says Tony Parker is 4th player to go 800+ games before 1st triple-double; Malone (860), Ewing (834) & Cedric Maxwell (824)
—-I did not expect to see Cedric Maxwell in a tweet like this!

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time NBA Three-Pointers Made–
13. Kobe Bryant 1,551
14. Eddie Jones 1,546
T-14. Vince Carter 1,546            (Carter needs 1 to move into sole possession of 14^th place)

–All-Time NBA Offensive Rebounds–
20. Terry Cummings 3,183
21. David Robinson 3,083
22. Elton Brand 3,081                        (Brand needs 3 to move into 21^st place)
23. Kevin Garnett 3,030            (Garnett needs 52 to move into 22^nd place)

–All-Time NBA Regular Season Games Played–
T-30. Patrick Ewing / Kobe Bryant / Terry Cummings 1,183
T-33. Scottie Pippen 1,178
T-33. Derek Fisher 1,178            (Fisher moves into sole possession of 37^th by playing)

For more Celtics coverage, follow Adam Lowenstein on Twitter: @StatsAdam

12/8/12: Celtics vs. 76ers Stat Pack

*The Celtics lost their first overtime game of the 2012-13 season on Friday.
–Before Friday’s overtime loss to the 76ers, the Celtics had won 7 of their last 8 OT games (including the playoffs).
–Including Friday, the Celtics’ last 20 OT games (including the playoffs) have been 1-OT games.
–The Celtics’ last game that lasted at least 2 overtimes was their 128-127 three-OT loss to the Bulls in Game 6 of the first round series in 2009 playoffs.
–The Celtics are 1 of 6 NBA teams to not have a game of at least 2 overtimes since the 2010-11 season.

*Last night, Jason Terry had at most 1 field goal made and at least 12 field goals attempted for only the 2^nd time of his career (a combined 1128 regular season and postseason games).
–His other time: March 2, 2002 with the Hawks (1 for 14).

*Terry might not be able to right the ship tonight because he has not performed well this season on the second night of back-to-backs.
–In games with zero days of rest in 2012-13, he is averaging 10.6 points per game with a 35.6 field goal % and 27.3 three-point %.
–Overall, this season, Terry is averaging 11.6 points per game with a 46.7 field goal % and 37.5 three-point %.


*Milestone Watch:

–Paul Pierce is 3 assists away from 4,000 for his career–

–All-Time Regular Season Games Played–
16. A.C. Green 1,278
T-17. Terry Porter 1,274
T-17. Kevin Garnett 1,274            (Garnett passes Porter for 17^th place on Saturday)

–All-Time Free Throws Made–
11. Charles Barkley 6,349
12. Reggie Miller 6,237
13. Paul Pierce 6,206                        (Pierce needs 32 to move into 12^th place)

–All-Time Three-Pointers Made–
6. Peja Stojakovic 1,760
7. Dale Ellis 1,719
8. Paul Pierce 1,710                        (Pierce needs 10 to move into 7^th place)
9. Rashard Lewis 1,706

12/7/12: Celtics @ 76ers Stat Pack

*The Celtics have had recent success on the 1^st day of back-to-backs, but not on the 2^nd.
–They began the season 0-2 on the 1^st day and 2-0 on the 2^nd day. Since, they have been 3-0 on the 1^st day and 0-3 on the 2^nd day.
–Celtics overall on 1^st day of back-to-backs in 2012-13 — 3-2
–Celtics overall on 2^nd day of back-to-backs in 2012-13 — 2-3

*The Philadelphia 76ers are the only team in the NBA this season to not lose a game with a halftime lead (record of 7-0).
–The Celtics were the 2^nd-to-last team this season to lose a game with a halftime lead (began season 6-0). They are now 6-1.
–Last season, the Celtics were the last team to lose a game with a halftime lead. They started the 2011-12 season 10-0 when leading at halftime. It took the Celtics until their 25^th game last season (88-87 loss to Lakers) to end the streak.

*Happy 56^th birthday to Boston Celtics Hall of Fame forward Larry Bird.
–The only person in NBA history to be named the Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year.
–He was a three-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, three-time regular season MVP and 12-time All-Star.
–His 24.3 points per game average ranks as the 17^th highest in NBA history.

*Kevin Garnett has cracked the Top 25 of single-player plus/minus.
–Entering Friday, Garnett is 25^th at +88.

*The Celtics are 7-3 this season with their current starting lineup of Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass and Garnett.
–They are 3-5 with other starting lineups.


*Milestone Watch:

–Paul Pierce is 8 assists away from 4,000 for his career–

–All-Time Three-Pointers Made–
10. Steve Nash 1,621
11. Glen Rice 1,559
12. Jason Richardson 1,553            (Richardson needs 7 to move into 11^th place)

–All-Time Regular Season Games Played–
16. A.C. Green 1,278
17. Terry Porter 1,274
18. Kevin Garnett 1,273            (Garnett ties Porter for 17^th place on Friday)

–Celtics History: All-Time Steals–
1. Larry Bird 1,556
2. Paul Pierce 1,525                        (Pierce needs 32 to move into 1^st place)
3. Robert Parish 873
4. Rajon Rondo 871                        (Rondo needs 3 to move into 3^rd place)



For more Celtics coverage, follow Adam Lowenstein on Twitter: @StatsAdam

12/5/12: Celtics vs. Timberwolves Stat Pack

*Since trading Kevin Garnett, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the only team that does not have a victory against the Boston Celtics.
–The Celtics are 9-0 against the Timberwolves since 2007-08.
–The next fewest wins against the Celtics since 2007-08: 1 each by the Trail Blazers and Kings.

*Coincidentally, the last time the Timberwolves beat the Celtics – Garnett had a triple-double.
–Garnett’s last two career triple-doubles have come against the Celtics:
(1) March 4, 2007 – 124-117, Celtics victory in 2OT in Boston (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200703040BOS.html): 33 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists
(2) February 11, 2007 – 109-107, Timberwolves victory in Minnesota (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200702110MIN.html): 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists
–The last time Timberwolves beat the Celtics at TD Garden: March 6, 2005
–Garnett’s record against the Celtics while playing for the Timberwolves: 12-11

*The Celtics have 3 days of rest coming into Wednesday’s game while the Timberwolves are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
–Celtics on 3 days of rest this season: 1-0
–Timberwolves on zero days of rest this season: 1-3

*Entering Wednesday, the Celtics regular starting lineup of Rondo, Terry, Pierce, Bass and Garnett is the 7^th best 5-player plus/minus combination (+39) during the 2012-13 season (minimum: 10 games together).
–The best 5-player plus/minus combination: Grizzlies +70 (Conley/Allen/Gay/Randolph/Gasol)


*Milestone Watch:

–Paul Pierce is 10 assists away from 4,000 for his career–

–Celtics History: All-Time Steals–
1. Larry Bird 1,556
2. Paul Pierce 1,524                        (Pierce needs 33 to move into 1^st place)
3. Robert Parish 873
4. Rajon Rondo 870                        (Rondo needs 4 to move into 3^rd place)


For more Celtics coverage, follow Adam Lowenstein on Twitter: @StatsAdam

12/1/12: Celtics @ Bucks Stat Pack

*Entering Saturday’s game, the Celtics are 3-0 on Saturdays this season.

–This 3-0 record on Saturdays includes a win at Milwaukee on November 10.

–Oddly, the Celtics have played on all 7 days of the week this season while the Bucks have played on only 4 days.



*The Celtics have been victorious in their last 4 games at the Bradley Center.

–Since 2007-08, they are 7-2 on the road against the Bucks.



*Kevin Garnett’s +70 is currently tied for the 30th best single-player plus/minus in the NBA this season.

–The best Bucks player in plus/minus: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (48th overall: +47)

–The next best Celtics player in plus/minus: Jason Terry (+35)



*Since 2007-08, the Celtics have a 23-14 (.622) record without Rajon Rondo playing.

–2012-13 … 1-1 (.500) —– With Rondo: 8-6 (.571)

–2011-12 … 8-5 (.615) —– With Rondo: 31-22 (.585)

–2010-11 … 9-5 (.643) —– With Rondo: 47-21 (.691)

–2009-10 … 1-0 (1.000) —– With Rondo: 49-32 (.605)

–2008-09 … 0-2 (.000) —– With Rondo: 62-18 (.775)

–2007-08 … 4-1 (.800) —– With Rondo: 62-15 (.805)



*The Celtics remain 1 of 2 NBA teams yet to lose a game this season in which they have had a halftime lead.

–Celtics are 6-0 after leading at the half.

–The 76ers are the other team at 7-0.