Blog

*After winning the first 16 of 18 games against the Raptors in the New Big Three Era, the Celtics surprisingly have lost their last 2 meetings with Toronto.

–Both of those 2 recent losses were road games for the Celtics.

*I’m not saying today’s game against the Raptors should be an easy victory for the Celtics, but it is helpful that the Raptors’ raw rebounding rate (.472, 28^th in NBA) is worse than that of the Celtics (.478, 23^rd).

*Rajon Rondo is the Celtics’ 3^rd-most important plus/minus player at +12 this season.

–As always, Kevin Garnett is the team’s leader in plus/minus at +23.

–In 2011-12, Garnett’s +266 led the Celtics.

–While Garnett did not lead the Celtics in overall plus/minus in the seasons before 2011-12, he did however lead the team in plus/minus per minute.

*The 3-man combination of Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett is the 5^th best plus/minus one in the league at +61.

–Best in the NBA: Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol at +91.

*In the New Big Three Era, the Celtics have a 22-14 record without Rajon Rondo playing.

–2012-13 … 0-1

–2011-12 … 8-5

–2010-11 … 9-5

–2009-10 … 1-0

–2008-09 … 0-2

–2007-08 … 4-1

*The Celtics are one of 8 NBA teams yet to lose a game in which they have had a halftime lead.

–Celtics are 2-0 after leading at the half, but the Celtics are tied for the 2^nd-fewest halftime leads (2) in the NBA. Only the Wizards have fewer (1).

–The Golden State Warriors have the most halftime leads without a loss (5).

*Around the NBA: The standings have an interesting look today. 10 of the Eastern Conference teams have a streak of at least one win. However, only 6 of the Western Conference teams have won their last game.

*Milestone Watch:

–All-Time Games Played–

17. Terry Porter 1,274

18. John Havlicek 1,270

19. Kevin Garnett 1,264            (Garnett needs 7 to move into 18^th place)