C’s v Bucks by the numbers – a 7-game dead heat?
The Midwesterners shot more accurately, connecting on 15 more FG’s … but Brad’s boys fought their way to the free-throw line 75 times, exactly 15 times more often than the Bucks.
Consequently, each team earned 334 conversions in its 653 scoring opportunities.
Boston’s dominance of the Offensive glass (98 – 49 in second-chances, good for a 110 – 48 edge on the scoreboard) was the difference-maker.
Summative Series Equation:
Bos – 334 Conversions + [+29 “Stripes”] {71 treys “minus” 42 missed FT’s “equals” 8 stripes}
Mil – 334 Conversions + [+26 “Stripes”] {67 treys “minus” 41 missed FT’s “equals” 3 stripes}
Expected Outcome -- 0 Conversions + [+3 Stripes] = C’s win by 3 points
Actual Score: Boston 717, Milwaukee 713
The Algebra of the Series
Pts: C’s – 717 / Mil – 713
FG: C’s – 259 - 585, .443 / Mil – 274 - 548, .500
3FG: C’s – 71 - 203, .350 / Mil – 67 - 180, .372
FT: C’s – 128 - 170, .753 [75] / Mil – 98 - 139, .705 [60]
TO: C’s – 90 / Mil – 93
OR: C’s – 75 + 23 (team) / Mil – 39 + 10 (team)
Poss: C’s – 653 / Mil – 653
CV%: C’s – 334 / 653, .511 / Mil – 334 / 653, .511
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
Here’s the breakdown on the basis of locale.
Home Wins
Pts: C’s – 437 / Mil – 396
FG: C’s – 161 - 337, .478 / Mil – 153 - 321, .477
3FG: C’s – 43 - 114, .377 / Mil – 33 - 98, .337
FT: C’s – 72 - 98, .735 [44] / Mil – 57 - 79, .722 [33]
TO: C’s – 54 / Mil – 63
OR: C’s – 36 + 15 (team) / Mil – 23 + 8 (team)
Poss: C’s – 385 / Mil – 386
CV%: C’s – 205 / 385, .532 / Mil – 186 / 386, .482
Road Losses
Pts: C’s – 280 / Mil – 317
FG: C’s – 98 - 248, .395 / Mil – 121 - 227, .533
3FG: C’s – 28 - 89, .315 / Mil – 34 - 82, .415
FT: C’s – 56 - 72, .778 [31] / Mil – 41 - 60, .683 [27]
TO: C’s – 36 / Mil – 30
OR: C’s – 39 + 8 (team) / Mil – 16 + 2 (team)
Poss: C’s – 268 / Mil – 267
CV%: C’s – 129 / 268, .481 / Mil – 148 / 267, .554
Abacus Revelation for the Road
Since about Thanksgiving, Coach Brett Brown’s spunky Sixers have been dead last in the NBA when it comes to taking care of the ball. On top of that, they were able to work their way out of the Bottom Ten in forcing turnovers during the season’s closing weeks (finishing No. 18).
A key to the outcome of the upcoming Celtic-Sixer rivalry renewer might well be how proficiently the Celtics can cash in on Philly miscues.
images: AP, Philly.com
