By The Numbers

http://www.celticsblog.com/2014/12/9/7358773/by-the-numbers-final-score-boston-falls-to-washington-133-132-in-double-overtime-fantasy


By The Numbers: Boston falls to Washington, 133-132, in double overtime thriller
By Kevin O'Connor  @KevinOConnorNBA on Dec 9 2014, 3:01amy




Monday night's 133-132 double overtime loss to the Washington Wizards might've broken the hearts of many Boston Celtics fans, but it was no doubt one of the most entertaining games of the young NBA season.

Double overtime games typically present us with a number of funky stats, since those games always have their own unique and unusual circumstances. Introducing a potential new series, here are five interesting statistics from Monday's fascinating game, in the first edition of By The Numbers.

132: Boston hasn't scored 130 points since Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals

Not only did Boston set a season-high in points with 132, but this is surprisingly the first time since June 17, 2008 that they have scored at least 130 points. It's hard to believe the night Boston won Banner 17 and Kevin Garnett screamed "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!" is the last time the Celtics reached 130.

As for the regular season, the most recent time the Celtics scored 130 was on December 13, 2004, when Boston beat the LA Clippers 134-127 in another double overtime game; good old friend Ricky Davis led the way with 34 points on that special night. That happened nearly 10 years ago; time really does fly, doesn't it?

With so many years separating Boston's explosive 130-point performances, it makes you wonder what the roster will look like the next time a night like this occurs.

20:53: Rajon Rondo's minutes played, a new season-low

Rondo sat on the bench in crunch time once again, but only because Brad Stevens was riding his red-hot lineup off the bench. The last time Rondo played fewer minutes was in his first game back from a torn ACL, where he played 19:25. In addition to that instance, since his rookie year, Rondo has played fewer minutes in only three games.

81.9: The Net Rating for Boston's fourth-quarter "comeback lineup"

Before tonight, the lineup of Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Marcus Smart, Marcus Thornton, and Evan Turner had only played seven minutes together, but they more than doubled that mark with 12 total minutes logged tonight, with 10 of those minutes coming in the second half alone.

For the game, they had a Net Rating of 38.9, but in the fourth quarter alone it was 81.9. With a plus-minus of 14, an offensive rating of 144.8, and a defensive rating of 63 in the fourth quarter, they are the sole reason for the comeback, which is why Brad Stevens stuck with them for so long.

36.8: Percentage of games Jeff Green has scored at least 20 points

With 28 points, Green went off once again versus Washington, and now in 19 games this season, he has scored at least 20 points seven times, which is a career-high rate.

Season % of Games with at least 20 points
2014-15 36.8%
2008-09 32.1%
2013-14 26.8%
2009-10 15.9%
2010-11 14.6%
2012-13 12.3%
2007-08 6.3%

Green leads Boston in usage (24.8 percent), so it's not surprising that he's the leading scorer, but it is fantastic to see him stay consistent in his role this season. Green has been criticized for being "inconsistent" in the past, but he's now settling into a role that is steady.

By giving the 28-year-old forward stable responsibilities, Stevens has reduced the cerebral decision-making portion part of Green's game, allowing him to instead rely on his natural instincts and athleticism to flourish. Green now finds himself comfortable, since he knows what's expected of him, and he is put into situations where he has a high chance of success.

69.2: Evan Turner's eFG percentage for the night

Was Monday's performance the greatest of Turner's career? Some might argue that it is, since he drained a clutch game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation, and had 18 points, eight assists, and six assists, but he has had undisputedly better games, just not on the same stage.

It is, however, undeniably one of the most efficient games of Turner's career, at least if we're looking solely at the "eFG" statistic (effective field goal percentage), which is a metric that adjusts for the fact that three-pointers are worth more than two-pointers.

On 8-for-13 shooting, Turner had a 69.2 eFG percentage. In 325 career games, Turner has attempted at least 13 shots in 108 games, and in those, he has had a better eFG percentage only five times. Turner has never been known for his efficiency, in fact he's be criticized for being a chucker, but thus far in Boston he has played within the system as a mostly reliable player.




Bob





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I think the most amazing stat is that the bench scored 82 points—more than any other Celtics bench in history.

Sam

Sam

No * needed it was indeed 82 points

KO......19
Turner 18
Smart 23
Bass 19
Thornton 3
82

beat

Beat,

Thanks for researching it more thoroughly that I did.  Inclusion of Green's total points with the starters, when many were scored with the bench, makes the discrepancy between the bench and the starts even more amazing.  I'll change my post accordingly.  Thanks again.

Sam

[quote="sam"]Beat,

Thanks for researching it more thoroughly that I did.  Inclusion of Green's total points with the starters, when many were scored with the bench, makes the discrepancy between the bench and the starts even more amazing.  I'll change my post accordingly.  Thanks again.

Sam[/quote

And to think there are times when entire teams struggles to get 82 points

beat