The Algebra of the Game: Stevens, C’s have the antidote for Orlando’s prestidigitation
Summative Equation of the Game:
Bos – 47 Conversions + [+6 “Stripes”] {Note: 11 treys “minus” 5 missed FT’s}
Orl – 39 Conversions + [+4 “Stripes”] {Note: 6 treys “minus” 2 missed FT’s}
Expected Outcome -- +8 Conversions + [+2 Stripes] = C’s win by 18 points
Actual Score: Boston 104, Orlando 88
The Good: Other than a give-away 24-second violation in the final half-minute, Boston played turnover-free ball during the final 12 minutes. (The C’s committed their fifth team foul of Q3 with 6:39 remaining – they fouled no more in Q3.)
The Bad: The C’s committed ten fouls against shooters – FIVE of them “and-1” opportunities. (The Magic were empty on their final seven Q3 possessions, while the C’s faltered on seven of their last eight.)
The Ugly: The teams combined to shoot 2 for 16 from three-point arc in the fourth quarter. (Out of a combined 197 possessions, the team produced 72 one-and-done possessions – the Magic had 42.)
The Odd: Each team’s longest run of consecutive converted possessions was five – and occurred during each side’s final nine possessions of the game. (The Magic became only the second team to outplay Boston during the C’s typically on-point opening to the second half – the other was the Knicks.)
The Algebra of the Game
1st Quarter
FG: C’s – 8-20, .400 / Orl – 9-23, .391
3FG: C’s – 3-9, .333 / Orl – 2-7, .286
FT: C’s – 3-4, .750 [2] / Orl – 0-0, .000 [0]
TO: C’s – 4 / Orl – 3
OR: C’s – 1 + 0 (team) / Orl – 2 + 0 (team)
Poss: C’s – 25 / Orl – 24
CV%: C’s – 10 / 25, .400 / Orl – 9 / 24, .375
2nd Quarter
FG: C’s – 11-26, .423 / Orl – 6-23, .261
3FG: C’s – 2-9, .222 / Orl – 1-6, .167
FT: C’s – 3-6, .500 [2] / Orl – 5-5, 1.000 [2]
TO: C’s – 3 / Orl – 5
OR: C’s – 5 + 1 (team) / Orl – 4 + 0 (team)
Poss: C’s – 25 / Orl – 26
CV%: C’s – 13 / 25, .520 / Orl – 8 / 26, .308
FG: C’s – 11-21, .524 / Orl – 10-23, .435
3FG: C’s – 5-8, .625 / Orl – 2-7, .286
FT: C’s – 1-1, 1.000 [0] / Orl – 9-9, 1.000 [3]
TO: C’s – 6 / Orl – 2
OR: C’s – 2 + 2 (team) / Orl – 4 + 0 (team)
Poss: C’s – 23 / Orl – 24
CV%: C’s – 11 / 23, .478 / Orl – 13 / 24, .542
4th Quarter
FG: C’s – 9-22, .409 / Orl – 8-22, .364
3FG: C’s – 1-7, .143 / Orl – 1-9, .111
FT: C’s – 8-9, .889 [4] / Orl – 2-4, .500 [1]
TO: C’s – 1 / Orl – 3
OR: C’s – 1 + 1 (team) / Orl – 0 + 1 (team)
Poss: C’s – 25 / Orl – 25
CV%: C’s – 13 / 25, .520 / Orl – 9 / 25, .360
Full Game
FG: C’s – 39-89, .438 / Orl – 33-91, .363
3FG: C’s – 11-33, .333 / Orl – 6-29, .207
FT: C’s – 15-20, .750 [8] / Orl – 16-18, .889 [6]
TO: C’s – 14 / Orl – 13
OR: C’s – 9 + 4 (team) / Orl – 10 + 1 (team)
Poss: C’s – 98 / Orl – 99
CV%: C’s – 47 / 98, .480 / Orl – 39 / 99, .394
Note re Calculations:
The number of “possessions” is an accurate count, not a formula-based estimated value.
For purposes of clarity, the bracketed digit following the FT% is the exact count of “conversions” represented by those FTA’s.
“Possessions” calculation: FGA’s + FT conversions + TO’s – OR’s (including Team OR’s)
“Conversions” calculation: FG’s + FT conversions
Abacus Revelation for the Road
For the second game this week, no Celtic player logged as many as 30 minutes of court time.
images: orlandosentinel.com
