Celts elude Dubs’ trap, extend winning streak

Everything about this game just screamed “Upset Alert – Watch Your Step!”

The Warriors under Steve Kerr have never encountered lower expectations – down-graded by the loss of Steph Curry from Potential Playoff Spoiler to Are we tanking? status – and they were coming off a sloppy effort in a one-sided loss to the Lakers.

The C’s shooting touch didn’t translate immediately to West Coast time (30% from the field in Q1), so Steve’s young guns began to think they had a chance.

Love that Group Effort

The game ultimately turned on a curiously collaborative Celtic effort.

A typically clutch Marcus Smart hustle play kept alive a missed Daniel Theiss FT … or did it? Well, not until Brad Stevens chose to utilize his new coaching “toy” and successfully challenge the official ruling.

Jayson Tatum added the final touch on the resultant center jump, “intercepting” Willie Cauley-Stein’s tip for a breakaway “flush” and non-refundable Boston lead with a minute-and-a-half to go.




Boston 105

FG: C’s – 37-91, .407
3FG: C’s – 13-33, .394
FT: C’s – 18-23, .783 [10 conversions]
TS%: C’s – .519
OR: C’s –11 + 1 (team) [minus 1 FT rebound]
DR: C’s – 36 + 1 (team) [minus 6 FT rebounds]
TO: C’s – 14 + 0 (team)
Poss: C’s – 103 {56 “Empty”}
PPP: C’s – 1.0.19
CV%: C’s – 47 / 103, .456
Stripes: C’s – 8 [4 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: C’s – 51 / 103, .495 {expected production, 102 points}


Golden State 100

FG: GSW – 34-82, .415
3FG: GSW – 5-28, .179
FT: GSW – 27-34, .794 [16 conversions]
TS%: GSW – .516
OR: GSW – 12 + 3 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: GSW – 43 + 3 (team) [minus 4 FT rebounds]
TO: GSW – 19 + 1 (team)
Poss: GSW – 104 {54 “Empty”}
PPP: GSW – 0.962
CV%: GSW – 50 / 104, .481
Stripes: GSW – -2 [-1 conversion]
Adjusted CV%: GSW – 49 / 104, .471 {expected production, 98 points}


Note re Calculation & Notation:

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) – FT OR’s

“Conversions” calculation: FG’s + FT conversions

“Stripes” calculation: 3FG’s – missed FTA’s

TS% = True Shooting Percentage

PPP = Points per Possession

CV% = Conversion Percentage


Abacus Revelation for the Road

Coach Stevens notched his fifth career victory (against eight losses) over the dynasty of the decade … four of those triumphs have occurred in California.


images: Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group