NBA Playoffs 2011: Statistics Favor Boston Celtics Over New York Knicks
The Boston Celtics have won each of their first two playoff games against the New York Knicks, but those wins have come by a total of only three points.
While no one in Boston is complaining about the Celtics wins, some uncertainty about how well the Celtics will perform at raucous Madison Square Garden is a legitimate question.
Still, if a silver lining is needed, it can be found in the Game 1 and 2 statistics. This is not a series that has been dependent on statistics—it has relied upon big plays.
But there are some statistical takeaways from the first two games that may help provide insight as to how the rest of the series will go.
Critical Shot-Blocking?
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The Celtics averaged 4.2 BPG during the regular season and only 4.0 during the second half of the season. They’ve recorded five blocks in each of the games so far this series.
Now you may think one blocked shot is nothing to think about, but keep in mind that one extra block a game has prevented two points from going up on the Knicks scoreboard. That’s the difference between a loss and an overtime game.
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio Favors the Celtics
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The Celtics have handled the ball much better than the Knicks during the playoffs, and the assist-to-turnover ratio proves it.
The funny part is that the Celtics have not looked strong in their passing game at all. Still, it’s 1.6 to 1.2 in favor of the C’s. If those numbers don’t mean much, it translates to the Knicks turning the ball over nine more times than the Celtics.
When you factor in that the Celtics have 11 more assists than the Knicks, it shows the games are going in the right direction for the Celtics.
Plus/Minus Tells a Curious Story
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Amar'e Stoudemire and Toney Douglas are the only New York Knicks to have recorded negative ratings in both playoff games. Thought to be a difference-maker, Stoudemire is proving he’s not.
Sure, Amar'e had 28 points in Game 1, but he had a minus-nine rating. This means that he’s not a difference-maker. Difference-makers change games. Stoudemire is simply trading off with the Celtics offense, and losing.
If there is one bad omen from the Celtics standpoint, it’s that the C’s bench was beaten up in Game 2. Nenad Krstic is the only Celtics player to come off the bench and break even or record a negative in both games, that’s the reason he’s only played eight minutes in the series.
The Rest of the Numbers
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The rest of the stats aren’t very relevant, and again, that makes sense, since the two teams have had each of their games separated by three points.
The Knicks have pulled down nine more offensive rebounds, but are shooting 39 percent for the series. Steals, FT percentage and fouls have all been consistent.
Only a few numbers stand out, that we’ve just seen, but they have made an impact. There is a lot of room for improvement, and the Celtics could really use a sweep and a few days off before Round 2. If they improve their shooting, and hold steady where they’ve done well, they should take out the Knicks in no more than five games.
