NBA Week 4 in Proportion: Back-to-backs, a test of grit or depth?
 |
| si.com |
Five squads – the Blazers, Clippers, Hawks, Pelicans and Pistons – have been required to perform on consecutive days on three separate occasions within a month’s time … “hard labor” by modern standards.
The Boston Celtics are one of only seven teams that have yet to lose in 2019-20 when forced to play two days in a row, one of only four who’ve won twice on Tired Legs, one of only two (Houston the other) who did it on the road both times.
The Jazz and Spurs are also 2 – 0 in B2B’s, the Mavs, Suns and Lakers 1 – 0.
Rest-to-Run Ratio?
Forty-seven of 197 tip-offs so far (28 days, thru Monday) have featured at least one team playing a “back-end” – in seven of them, both sides played weary.
Curiously, in the seven “null set” games, a leg-weary home squad has won a mere two times.
Overall Home Cookin’
After a virtually break-even (25-24) Week 3, Home Teams won 34 of 52 (.654) in the subsequent seven days. On the season, NBA Homeboys stand 115 – 82 (.584).
Week 4 for the Green Team
Boston -443
FG: C’s – 157-358, .439
3FG: C’s – 51-140, .364
FT: C’s – 78-93, .839 [40 conversions]
TS%: C’s – .555
OR: C’s – 42 + 10 (team) [minus 1 FT rebound]
DR: C’s – 147 + 11 (team) [minus 9 FT rebounds]
TO: C’s – 56 + 2 (team)
Poss: C’s – 405 {208 “Empty”}
PPP: C’s – 1.094
CV%: C’s – 197 conversions / 405 possessions, .486
Stripes: C’s – +36 [+18 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: C’s – 215 conversions / 405, .531 {expected production, 430 points}
Opponent- 418
FG: Opp – 155-349, .444
3FG: Opp – 40-128, .313
FT: Opp – 68-85, .800 [39 conversions]
TS%: Opp – .541
OR: Opp – 39 + 5 (team) [minus 1 FT rebound]
DR: Opp – 142 + 11 (team) [minus 9 FT rebounds]
TO: Opp – 58 + 2 (team)
Poss: Opp – 405 {211 “Empty”}
PPP: Opp – 1.032
CV%: Opp – 194 conversions / 405 possessions, .479
Stripes: Opp – +23 [+11.5 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: Opp – 205.5 conversions / 405 possessions, .507 {expected production, 411 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
In each of the last two weeks, the Celtics played four games. In each set of four games, the guys took exactly 358 FG’s and made exactly 51 3FG’s. Furthermore, they corralled nine opponent missed FT’s in each week while their opponents’ rate of conversion held steady at .479.
Co-incidence … or Consistency?
