Celtic six-week synopsis in an evolving NBA

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

In the NBA of the 21st Century, as usage of the three-point shot has more than doubled (from 17 percent of all FGA’s in 2000-01 to this season’s 37 or 38 percent), a most reliable indicator that a team will qualify for the Playoffs is a Top Ten ranking in both making AND defending the three-ball.

After six weeks of play (through Tuesday, Dec. 3), there are five members of this club. The Heat (No. 3 & No. 2) and Raptors (No. 2 & No. 5) sit at the head table, while Utah (No. 5 & No. 9), Dallas (No. 8 & No. 8) and – surprise, surprise, surprise – the struggling Trailblazers (No. 9 & No. 10) round out the current membership.

In a case of “What goes around comes around,” Steve Kerr’s Dubs – one of three squads (Cleveland and Minnesota the others) in both Bottom Tens – have belly-flopped to dead last in defending treys.

Home not-so-Sweet

As a certifiable “old fart” prone to sentimentality, I can’t help but root a bit for the Timberwolves, who are coached and generally managed by the sons of two of the Association’s all-time most beloved characters, Flip Saunders and Frank Layden respectively.

I just can’t figure out if I should be more impressed by Minnesota’s seven road wins than I am appalled by their seven home losses through 19 games.

The T’wolves are one of seven teams in whose games the Road team has won at least half the time – Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Memphis, the Lakers and Phoenix round out the field. The Mavs and LA have 17 combined road wins, while the Bulls, Cavs and Griz total 25 home losses collectively.

And the Suns’ fast start but quick fade becomes understandable when you see seven home losses against just four road wins in their 19 tip-offs.

Overall through the first 305 games, the Home team is 179 – 126 (.587).




Boston - 2104

FG: C’s – 762-1727, .441
3FG: C’s – 228-660, .345
FT: C’s – 352-440, .800 [185 conversions]
TS%: C’s – .548
OR: C’s – 211 + 51 (team) [minus 3 FT rebounds]
DR: C’s – 674 + 44 (team) [minus 50 FT rebounds]
TO: C’s – 238 + 13 (team)
Poss: C’s – 1904 {957 “Empty”}
PPP: C’s – 1.105
CV%: C’s – 947 conversions / 1904 possessions, .497
Stripes: C’s – +140 [+70 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: C’s – 1017 conversions / 1904, .534 {expected production, 2034 points}


Opponent - 1985

FG: Opp – 717-1657, .433
3FG: Opp – 232-682, .340
FT: Opp – 319-431, .740 [187 conversions]
TS%: Opp – .537
OR: Opp – 212 + 51 (team) [minus 6 FT rebounds]
DR: Opp – 686 + 48 (team) [minus 47 FT rebounds]
TO: Opp – 298 + 18 (team)
Poss: Opp – 1901 {997 “Empty”}
PPP: Opp – 1.044
CV%: Opp – 904 conversions / 1901 possessions, .476
Stripes: Opp – +120 [+60 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: Opp – 964 conversions / 1901 possessions, .507 {expected production, 1928 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

Here’s a comparison of this year’s 6-week Average Team Performance with last year’s numbers for the same time span (ironically an equal number of dates and games).

Scoring, overall FG accuracy, FTA’s and O-boards have dipped; pace, 3FG’s (both accuracy & usage) and TO’s are up … all just slightly.