Is Charles Dickens writing the script for this most frustrating of seasons?

In a fittingly festive First Half in Milwaukee, Coach Udoka’s diminished troops crisply converted 55% of their possessions (26-for-47) while limiting the defending champions to a pedestrian Conversion Rate of 44% (21-for-48). The C’s outshot the Bucks .488 to .388 (.435 - .294 on 3FG’s) in taking a 15-point lead to the locker room at halftime.

But old Charlie D seemed to reach out and impose his classic literary influence on the Second Half. Boston’s CV% dwindled to 42% (22-for-52) which they paired with a paltry EIGHTEEN stops on 51 Milwaukee possessions (a 65% rate of success for Coach Bud’s squad – Yikes!!)

The Celtic shooting percentages fell to .377 and .318 while the Greek Freak’s 10-for-15 post-intermission accuracy spurred his team to a .577 rate of accuracy (.438 behind the arc) and a 117-113 come-from-behind victory.

This season’s “Your Turn – My Turn” tendency shows in the Celts’ cumulative stats – through 31 games, when it comes to shooting, rebounding, and taking care of the ball, Boston’s data is nearly identical to that of the opposition. [NOTE: the following data does NOT include this loss to the Bucks nor Wednesday’s victory over Cleveland.]

For instance, both sides have attempted exactly 670 FT’s while the C’s (believe it or not!) have taken one fewer 3FG (1123-1124). Boston had made 10 more FT’s (542-532) and eight fewer 3FG’s (379-387).

16 pts, 5 assists, 0 TO's

Overall, Boston is 1218-for-2737 (.445) from the field, the other guys 1204-for-2713 (.444). In the “Paint,” Boston is 685-for-1224 (.551), the other guys 661-for-1188 (.556), and from “Mid-range” (i.e. any shot that not in the paint or a trey), Boston is 153-for-390 (.392), the other guys 156-for-401 (.389).

Boston has “won” the rebounding battle, 1414-1404, 325-301 on the offensive boards … but Opponents are +9 on Second-Chance points (373-364). The Celtics are -25 in Points off Turnovers (492-467) despite committing seven fewer miscues (435-442).

The C’s 291 “Free-Throw Conversions” and 1218 FG’s gives them 1509 conversions in 3068 possessions, a CV% of .492. Opponents have 293 FTC’s and 1204 FG’s (1497 conversions) in five fewer possessions (.489).

Boston’s 108.3 points-per-game ranks them No. 14, while their 107.3 points allowed slots them at No. 16.

You can’t get much more Middle-of-the-Road than that, huh?