11/30/12: Celtics vs. Trail Blazers Stat Pack

*Entering Friday’s game, the Celtics are 5-1 on 1-day rest this season.
–The Trail Blazers are 2-6 on 1-day rest this season.

*Since 2007-08, the Celtics have a 22-14 (.611) record without Rajon Rondo playing.
–2012-13 … 0-1 (.000) —– 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)

*Oddly, Paul Pierce has his lowest career rebound average against the Blazers.
–Worst: Portland – 4.7 rebounds per game (25 GP)
–2^nd Worst: Utah – 5.0 rebounds per game (25 GP)
–3^rd Worst: Memphis – 5.2 rebounds per game (25 GP)

*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 5-0 after leading at the half.
–The 76ers are the other team at 6-0.

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time Regular Season Games Played–
17. Terry Porter 1,274
T-18. John Havlicek 1,270
T-18. Kevin Garnett 1,270      (On Friday, Garnett will move into sole possession of 18th place)

11/28/12: Celtics vs. Nets Stat Pack

*Rajon Rondo’s final four assists of Sunday’s game were on baskets by Kevin Garnett, who now is tied as the leader of field goals made on Rondo assists during Rondo’s current assist streak.
–T-1^st: Garnett 116
–T-1^st: Pierce 116
–3^rd: Bass 81

*Happy 30^th birthday to Leandro Barbosa. What a fantastic Twitter handle he has: @TheBlur_Barbosa. He won the Sixth Man of the Year Award for the 2006-07 season as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Barbosa is now providing some much-needed bench scoring for the Celtics in 2012-13.
–On Sunday, Barbosa scored in double-digits for the 4^th time this season.
–Before the Orlando game, the last time Barbosa had scored at least 10 points was the Brooklyn game on November 15.
–The Celtics have won the last 2 games in which Barbosa has come off the bench to score double-digit points.

*The Celtics remain 1 of 3 NBA teams yet to lose a game this season in which they have had a halftime lead.
–Celtics are 5-0 after leading at the half.
–The 76ers have the most halftime leads this season without a loss (6). The Bobcats are the other team (3-0 with a halftime lead).

*Milestone Watch:

–Chris Wilcox is 1 defensive rebound away from 2,000 for his career–

–All-Time Offensive Rebounds–
22. Elton Brand 3,067
23. Shawn Kemp 3,026
24. Kevin Garnett 3,025            (Garnett needs 2 to move into 23^rd place)

–All-Time Free Throws Made–
12. Reggie Miller 6,237
13. Bob Pettit 6,182
14. Paul Pierce 6,176                        (Pierce needs 7 to move into 13^th place)

11/25/12: Celtics @ Magic Stat Pack

*In 3 career games against the Boston Celtics, Glen Davis is averaging 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, both of which are his best against any NBA team.
–It is a product of him receiving more minutes with the Magic than he did with the Celtics, but he has started only 1 of his 3 career games against Boston.
–Although he is accumulating good statistics against the Celtics, Big Baby has yet to beat his former team. He is 0-3 against the Celtics in his career.

*The Celtics have won their last 5 meetings overall with the Magic.
–The last Celtics loss to the Magic: Exactly 23 Months Ago – Christmas 2010 (86-78, Magic victory)
–Celtics starting lineup for Christmas 2010: Nate Robinson, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal
–Magic starting lineup for Christmas 2010: Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Brandon Bass and Dwight Howard

*Sunday night marks Jameer Nelson’s 534^th career NBA game.
–He has played all of his NBA games with Orlando. In Magic franchise history, that is the 3^rd most games for one player. Only Nick Anderson (692) and Dwight Howard (621) have played more in an Orlando uniform.
–With 10 made field goals on Sunday, Nelson would move into 5^th on the Magic all-time list of field goals made. He currently has 2,533 and is chasing Anfernee Hardaway (2,542).
–With 5 defensive rebounds on Sunday, Nelson would move into 7^th on the Magic all-time list of defensive rebounds. He currently has 1,341 and is chasing Bo Outlaw (1,345).
–With 6 turnovers on Sunday, Nelson would move into 3^rd on the Magic all-time list of turnovers. He currently has 1,154 and is Darrell Armstrong at 1,159.

*After their victory on Friday night, the Celtics have now won their last 4 games that have been played on 1-day rest.
–On 1-day rest this season, they are 4-1 overall and are averaging 102.8 points per game.
–The Celtics’ lone loss on 1-day rest was more than 2 weeks ago to the Philadelphia 76ers on November 9.

*The Celtics remain one of 3 NBA teams yet to lose a game in which they have had a halftime lead.
–Celtics are 4-0 after leading at the half.
–The 76ers have the most halftime leads without a loss (5). The Bobcats are the other team (3-0 with a halftime lead).

*Milestone Watch:

–Chris Wilcox remains 2 defensive rebounds away from 2,000 for his career–

–Celtics History: All-Time Assists–
5. Paul Pierce 3,971
6. Jo Jo White 3,686
7. Rajon Rondo 3,685                        (Rondo needs 2 to move into 6^th place)

–All-Time Three-Pointers Made–
7. Dale Ellis 1,719
8. Rashard Lewis 1,705
9. Paul Pierce 1,703                        (Pierce needs 3 to move into 8^th place)

–All-Time Free Throws Made–
12. Reggie Miller 6,237
13. Bob Pettit 6,182
14. Paul Pierce 6,172                        (Pierce needs 11 to move into 13^th place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Steals–
1. Larry Bird 1,556
2. Paul Pierce 1,519                        (Pierce needs 38 to move into 1^st place)
3. Robert Parish 873
4. Rajon Rondo 866                        (Rondo needs 8 to move into 3^rd place)

11/23/12: Celtics vs. Thunder Stat Pack

*Oklahoma City has 4 players in the Top 25 of plus/minus during the 2012-13 season. Kobe Bryant leads the league at +131. Pau Gasol and Carmelo Anthony are tied for 2^nd at +111.
–4^th: Kevin Durant (+108)
–10^th: Kevin Martin (+86)
–13^th: Russell Westbrook (+75)
–Tied-22^nd: Serge Ibaka (+57)

*Oklahoma City has the 2^nd best effective field goal percentage (53.3%) this season in the NBA.
–Boston ranks 7^th (51.3%).

*While the teams are somewhat similar with regard to offensive shooting percentage, their defenses are nowhere close. The opponent effective field goal percentage (opp. EFG%) for 2012-13 is a perfect illustration.
–Thunder: 5^th lowest opp. EFG% in NBA (46.7%)
–Celtics: 4^th highest opp. EFG% in NBA (50.4%)

*Oklahoma City averages 17.0 fastbreak points per game this season, which ranks 3^rd in the NBA.
–The Thunder’s fastbreak efficiency (2.32 fastbreak points per possession) is the 2^nd best in the league.

*The Celtics are 3-1 on 1-day rest this season.
–Their lone loss on 1-day rest was 2 weeks ago to the Philadelphia 76ers on November 9.

*The Celtics are 0-2 thus far this season on Friday nights this season. Both games have been played at home.
–November 2 vs. Bucks
–November 9 vs. 76ers

*The Celtics remain one of 6 NBA teams yet to lose a game in which they have had a halftime lead.
–Celtics are 3-0 after leading at the half. The Celtics’ 3 halftime leads are tied for the 2^nd-fewest in the league.
–The Warriors and Clippers have the most halftime leads without a loss (6).

*Milestone Watch:

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

–Celtics History: All-Time Field Goals Made–
2. Larry Bird 8,591
3. Robert Parish 7,483
4. Paul Pierce 7,479                        (Pierce needs 5 to move into 3^rd place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Assists–
5. Paul Pierce 3,970
6. Jo Jo White 3,686
7. Rajon Rondo 3,669                        (Rondo needs 18 to move into 6^th place)

–All-Time Free Throws Made–
12. Reggie Miller 6,237
13. Bob Pettit 6,182
14. Paul Pierce 6,165                        (Pierce needs 18 to move into 13^th place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Blocked Shots–
3. Larry Bird 755
4. Kendrick Perkins 646
5. Paul Pierce 642                        (Pierce needs 5 to move into 4^th place)
—            —            —            —            —            —            —            —            —
8. Cedric Maxwell 378
9. Tony Battie 369
10. Kevin Garnett 343                        (Garnett needs 27 to move into 9^th place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Steals–
1. Larry Bird 1,556
2. Paul Pierce 1,516                        (Pierce needs 41 to move into 1^st place)
3. Robert Parish 873
4. Rajon Rondo 864                        (Rondo needs 10 to move into 3^rd place)

11/21/12: Celtics vs. Spurs Stat Pack

*A happy 57^th birthday to the one and only, Boston Celtics radio broadcaster Cedric Maxwell!
–He shares a birthday with Stan Musial (92 today), Earl “The Pearl” Monroe (68), Harold Ramis (68), Goldie Hawn (67), Troy Aikman (46), Ken Griffey Jr. (43) and Michael Strahan (41).

*Both the Celtics and Spurs are in the top 6 in the NBA in team assist/turnover ratio.
–1^st: Knicks (1.87)
–2^nd: Celtics (1.74)
–3^rd: Heat (1.69)
–4^th: Bucks (1.68)
–5^th: Raptors (1.622)
–6^th: Spurs (1.618)

*Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Celtics are 2-0 this season on Wednesday nights (both at home).

*Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Celtics have only played one out-of-conference game, the fewest out-of-conference games in the NBA.

*Before Sunday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics were 4-0 with the starting lineup of Rajon Rondo, Jason Terry, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett.
–They are now 4-1 with that lineup.
–Rondo/Lee/Pierce/Sullinger/Garnett: 2-1
–Rondo/Lee/Pierce/Bass/Garnett: 0-2
–Barbosa/Terry/Pierce/Bass/Garnett: 0-1

Wednesday’s game between the Celtics and Spurs features the 2 active leaders in all-time double-doubles.
–1^st: Tim Duncan 737
–2^nd: Kevin Garnett 719

*Rondo is now 5 of 15 (.333) from 3-point this season. His career-high for 3PM in a season is 17 in 2009-10. His career-high for 3P% in a season is .313 in 2008-09.

*The Celtics have won 2 in a row at home after losing 2 of their first 3 home games to start the season.

*The Celtics remain one of 8 NBA teams yet to lose a game in which they have had a halftime lead.
–Celtics are 3-0 after leading at the half.
–The Warriors and Clippers have the most halftime leads without a loss (6).

*Milestone Watch:

–Chris Wilcox is 5 defensive rebounds away from 2,000 for his career–

–Celtics History: All-Time Defensive Rebounds–
6. Antoine Walker 3,463
7. Cedric Maxwell 2,405
8. Kevin Garnett 2,403            (Garnett needs 3 to move into 7^th place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Field Goals Made–
2. Larry Bird 8,591
3. Robert Parish 7,483
4. Paul Pierce 7,473                        (Pierce needs 11 to move into 3^rd place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Assists–
5. Paul Pierce 3,968
6. Jo Jo White 3,686
7. Rajon Rondo 3,654                        (Rondo needs 33 to move into 6^th place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Blocked Shots–
3. Larry Bird 755
4. Kendrick Perkins 646
5. Paul Pierce 641                        (Pierce needs 6 to move into 4^th place)
—            —            —            —            —            —            —            —            —
8. Cedric Maxwell 378
9. Tony Battie 369
10. Kevin Garnett 341                        (Garnett needs 29 to move into 9^th place)

–Celtics History: All-Time Steals–
1. Larry Bird 1,556
2. Paul Pierce 1,515                        (Pierce needs 42 to move into 1^st place)
3. Robert Parish 873
4. Rajon Rondo 862                        (Rondo needs 12 to move into 3^rd place)

–All-Time Free Throws Made–
12. Reggie Miller 6,237
13. Bob Pettit 6,182
14. Paul Pierce 6,159                        (Pierce needs 24 to move into 13^th place)

11/18/12: Celtics @ Pistons Stat Pack

*In the 2012-13 seasons, the Celtics are 4-0 with the starting lineup of Rajon Rondo, Jason Terry, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett.

*Via Elias: Rajon Rondo is the 1st player in NBA history to have at least 121 assists and 30 or fewer turnovers in his first 9 games of a season.
*Rondo’s 20 assists on Saturday against the Raptors are a big reason why the Celtics have the most assists per possession in the NBA this season.
–1^st: Celtics (.264)
–2^nd: Spurs (.263)
–3^rd: Bucks (.250)

*The Detroit Pistons have lost all 3 of their home games this season coming into the game with the Celtics.

*Shockingly, Chris Wilcox (117 minutes played) leads the Celtics in plus/minus this season at +33.
–2^nd: Rondo (+31) – 343 MP
–3^rd: Garnett (+28) – 289 MP
–4^th: Terry (+18) – 257 MP

*Only 4 Pistons players have a positive plus/minus this season and 3 of them have played less than 10 minutes each.
–The only Pistons rotation player that has a positive plus/minus is Corey Maggette (+3 in 2 GP and 36 MP in 2012-13).
–Kyle Singler is the next best Piston at -2 in 234 MP.

*The Celtics remain one of 8 NBA teams yet to lose a game in which they have had a halftime lead.
–Celtics are 3-0 after leading at the half.
–The Warriors and Clippers have the most halftime leads without a loss (5).

11/17/12: Celtics vs. Raptors Stat Pack

*After winning the first 16 of 18 games against the Raptors in the New Big Three Era, the Celtics surprisingly have lost their last 2 meetings with Toronto.
–Both of those 2 recent losses were road games for the Celtics.

*I’m not saying today’s game against the Raptors should be an easy victory for the Celtics, but it is helpful that the Raptors’ raw rebounding rate (.472, 28^th in NBA) is worse than that of the Celtics (.478, 23^rd).

*Rajon Rondo is the Celtics’ 3^rd-most important plus/minus player at +12 this season.
–As always, Kevin Garnett is the team’s leader in plus/minus at +23.
–In 2011-12, Garnett’s +266 led the Celtics.
–While Garnett did not lead the Celtics in overall plus/minus in the seasons before 2011-12, he did however lead the team in plus/minus per minute.

*The 3-man combination of Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett is the 5^th best plus/minus one in the league at +61.
–Best in the NBA: Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol at +91.

*In the New Big Three Era, the Celtics have a 22-14 record without Rajon Rondo playing.
–2012-13 … 0-1
–2011-12 … 8-5
–2010-11 … 9-5
–2009-10 … 1-0
–2008-09 … 0-2
–2007-08 … 4-1

*The Celtics are one of 8 NBA teams yet to lose a game in which they have had a halftime lead.
–Celtics are 2-0 after leading at the half, but the Celtics are tied for the 2^nd-fewest halftime leads (2) in the NBA. Only the Wizards have fewer (1).
–The Golden State Warriors have the most halftime leads without a loss (5).

*Around the NBA: The standings have an interesting look today. 10 of the Eastern Conference teams have a streak of at least one win. However, only 6 of the Western Conference teams have won their last game.

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time Games Played–
17. Terry Porter 1,274
18. John Havlicek 1,270
19. Kevin Garnett 1,264            (Garnett needs 7 to move into 18^th place)