Celts reveal new wrinkle in abortive late-game surge?

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

The best news at the conclusion of a mediocre (but promising) Western swing was Kemba Walker’s ability to rejoin the team for the trip home.

But the Kemba-less C’s also left an interesting final impression while mounting a frantic, albeit futile, comeback attempt in Friday’s Q4 at Denver.

It’s been a “good minute” – probably back to when KG and KP ruled the roost, maybe Sully when he was healthy – since our heroes have been perceived to have any dominant or intimidating inside presence.

But somehow, some way Brad’s bodacious ballers managed literally to double (20 – 10) Denver’s “In the Paint” point production during the game’s closing 12 minutes. Twelve of Boston’s 18 Q4 FGA’s were attempted at such close range. (Five others were treys, while only one emanated from the dreaded mid-range.)

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Worthy of note, perhaps, is that Brad Wanamaker never left the floor during that closing segment of play.

Despite currently sitting at No. 26 in OR%, Boston earned a 70 – 56 advantage in Second-chance Points during this five-game road trip. (The C’s were also +11 in Points off TO’s whilst on tour – they just couldn’t throw the damn ball in the ocean from the pier a little too often.)




Boston 92

FG: C’s – 33-81, .407
3FG: C’s – 7-27, .259
FT: C’s – 19-23, .826 [11 conversions]
TS%: C’s – .505
OR: C’s –5 + 3 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: C’s – 35 + 0 (team) [minus 2 FT rebounds]
TO: C’s – 11 + 2 (team)
Poss: C’s – 97 {53 “Empty”}
PPP: C’s – 0.948
CV%: C’s – 44 / 97, .454
Stripes: C’s – 3 [1.5 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: C’s – 45.5 / 97, .469 {expected production, 91 points}


Denver 96

FG: Den – 39-88, .443
3FG: Den – 7-28, .250
FT: Den – 11-13, .846 [6 conversions]
TS%: Den – .512
OR: Den – 11 + 5 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: Den – 37 + 4 (team) [minus 2 FT rebounds]
TO: Den – 17 + 1 (team)
Poss: Den – 96 {51 “Empty”}
PPP: Den – 1.000
CV%: Den – 45 / 96, .469
Stripes: Den – 5 [2.5 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: Den – 47.5 / 96, .495 {expected production, 95 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

Last night both the Hawks and Hornets were perfect from the free-throw line. The Pistons and Kings had turned the same little trick last Friday night, and Golden State six days prior to that … the only five 100% foul shooting performances so far through 224 NBA games.

What’s weird is that all five of these sets of sharp-shooters were playing on the road – and all five wound up losing.