Is free throw shooting the culprit?

It sure looks that way to me - and here's why.
During the first 26 games this year the Celts out scored their opponent 104.5 to 97.2 and then over the next 33 games saw the numbers go down to 102.1 to 101.5 - a victory margin drop of 6.7 points per game. At the same time the Celts in the first 26 games out scored their opponents from the line 17.8 to 14.8 - then came a big turn around over the last 33 games when their opponents out scored them from the line 18.8 points to 14.0 - a plus 3 points during the first 26 games - to a negative 4.8 over the last 33 games - a switch of 7.8 points per game. O k guys and gals -WHAT'S the X'S AND 0'S REASON FOR THE DIP IN FREE THROW PRODUCTION ?

swish

An over-reliance on 3 point shooting is to blame. It means the team is not aggressive on offense. Guys are just standing around waiting for the ball somewhere out in the cosmos instead of attacking the rim.


KJ

I think both FT shooting and 3 point shooting are issues so both of you are correct.  

There are several other impactful things on the blame list.

swish wrote:   It sure looks that way to me - and here's why.
During the first 26 games this year the Celts out scored their opponent 104.5 to 97.2 and then over the next 33 games  saw the numbers go down to 102.1 to 101.5 - a victory margin drop of 6.7 points per game. At the same time the Celts in the first 26 games out scored their opponents from the line 17.8 to 14.8 -  then came a big turn around over the last 33 games when their opponents out scored them from the line 18.8 points to 14.0 - a plus 3 points during the first 26 games - to a negative 4.8 over the last 33 games -  a  switch of 7.8 points per game.      O k guys and gals -WHAT'S the X'S AND 0'S REASON FOR THE DIP IN FREE THROW PRODUCTION ?

 swish  

Very cool observation Swish. I assume our overall ft percentage is about the same, so why are we shooting fewer fts? As orhers have noted, it might be the increased reliance on the 3. How much of this is players vs scheme???

I have said all year that the free throw shooting on this team was terrible, and at times, has caused them to lose games.  If a player drives to the basket, misses the layup and then goes to the line, more times than not, at least one of those free throws is missed.  I am not going to single out one player because it happens to the best players on this team as well as the bench.

You are right, relying on that three point shot has almost ruined the ebb and flow of the game at times. Even though he was a decent three point shooter, even Larry Bird said that he felt that it would ruin the game. Funny thing from a guy who won the three point contest three times!

The Celtics free throw shooting,without a doubt, needs to improve. Both in getting more attempts per game and also in making a better percentage.

The number of attempts per game is not difficult to figure out because you rarely get fouled shooting a three, but the low percentage of free throws is mysterious for a professional team who is near the top of the division.

wideclyde wrote:The Celtics free throw shooting,without a doubt, needs to improve.  Both in getting more attempts per game and also in making a better percentage.

The number of attempts per game is not difficult to figure out because you rarely get fouled shooting a three, but the low percentage of free throws is mysterious for a professional team who is near the top of the division.

clyde

The league average free throw shooting percentage this year == .769
Celtics the first 26 games == .770
Celtics the last 33 games == .764

Real close to league average. Puts them in the middle of the pack.

swish