Full-strength Clips eke out OT victory over plucky Celtics
AP
Photo/Mark J. Terrill
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Now, that may not seem too encouraging at first glance, but don’t be hasty in judgment.
The Stevens Gang has put itself in position to win all four of these contests, succeeding twice – How?
Better question is Where? Answer: the other end of the floor!
The C’s D has induced a slight dip in opponents’ FG shooting (.428 to .416) along with a 20 percent bump in TO’s forced (15.4 to 18.5 per game).
And the only opponent who has managed to post an advantage on the offensive glass? GSW.
All-Star Weekend
Since the NBA’s mid-season interlude has irreversibly morphed into a laundry list of celebrity events rather than a genuine athletic event played for “bragging rights” …
… and in the spirit of “If ya can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” …
… I suggest the NBA conduct a two-on-two half-court tournament amongst the league’s coaching staffs, particularly now that the ranks of female assistant coaches have been augmented by a number of extraordinarily gifted performers.
I’d set my DVR to catch a Sam Cassell & Tyrone Lue vs. Becky Hammon & Tim Duncan match-up.
Game 14 at LA Clippers
Boston 104
FG: C’s – 41-104, .394
3FG: C’s – 12-45, .267
FT: C’s – 10-14, .714 [6 conversions]
TS%: C’s – .472
OR: C’s –18 + 3 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: C’s – 35 + 3 (team) [minus 2 FT rebounds]
TO: C’s – 17 + 1 (team)
Poss: C’s – 107 {60 “Empty”}
PPP: C’s – 0.972
CV%: C’s – 47 / 107, .439
Stripes: C’s – 8 [4 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: C’s – 51 / 107, .477 {expected production, 102 points}
LA Clippers 107
FG: LAC – 39-93, .419
3FG: LAC – 17-45, .378
FT: LAC – 12-16, .750 [7 conversions]
TS%: LAC – .535
OR: LAC – 14 + 2 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: LAC – 39 + 1 (team) [minus 1 FT rebound]
TO: LAC – 23 + 0 (team)
Poss: LAC – 107 {61 “Empty”}
PPP: LAC – 1.000
CV%: LAC – 46 / 107, .430
Stripes: LAC – 13 [6.5 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: LAC – 52.5 / 107, .490 {expected production, 105 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
Our own Brad Stevens became the season's first NBA coach to get himself “teed up” during this season’s 12 Q5’s (no Q6’s so far) – only one player, the Nets Taurean Prince back on Oct. 23 has been hit with an OT technical foul.
What kind of prop-bet odds might we have gotten for such a dubious distinction befalling our mild-mannered meastro?