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*Since 2011-12 (including the postseason), the Celtics are 40-19 when Avery Bradley plays at least 10 minutes. When he does not, they are 23-30.
–I guess Rajon Rondo has as much confidence in this statistic as most Celtics fans because he said, “We’re going to be a completely different team, just with one player coming back. [Bradley is] the X Factor. He’s going to be the key to why we win the championship. He brings a lot to the team in terms of intangibles, the way he cuts offensively. His pressure defensively is going to raise everyone else’s pressure. His defense is going to make us a lot better.”
*Coming into Christmas Day, the Celtics have lost 5 straight road games, which is the team’s 2nd longest regular season streak of this type since 2007-08.
–Longest: 7 games (April to December 2011).
*Since the Nets’ last victory over the Celtics (November 28), the Nets have gone 4-8.
–In that span, the Celtics are 5-6.
*The Nets play at the lowest pace in the league this season (90.1 possessions per game).
–The Celtics play at the 17th highest pace (94.1).
*On Friday, Jason Terry had his worst career FG% (6.7%) when attempting more than 10 shots.
–The Celtics are 6-2 this season when Terry has a FG% of at least 60% (7-11 otherwise).
*Via Zach Lowe: “Jason Terry needs to be more involved in Boston’s offense. Usage rate [is] a career low [and] that of a role player.”
–Although Terry’s usage rate is now only 17.2%, it’s changing for the better. He had a usage rate of over 21% in 3 of the last 5 games. In addition, he’s been deservedly getting more shots.
–Over Terry’s first 15 games with the Celtics, he averaged only 7.7 field goal attempts per game. He had at least 10 shots in only 3 of those games.
–In his last 11 games, he has averaged 10.7 field goal attempts per game. He has had at least 10 shots in 8 of those games.
*Chris Wilcox being out 3-4 weeks is a tough loss for the Celtics.
–Boston is 7-1 this season when Chris Wilcox plays more than 15 minutes (5-10 otherwise).
*The Celtics have been very good on at least 3 days rest this season.
–Excluding opening night against the Heat, the Celtics are 3-0 on at least 3 days of rest this season.
–The Celtics’ small sample statistics are a little skewed by the double overtime game with Dallas, but Boston still averages the team’s best free throw attempts (30.0 free throw attempts per game) and best rebounding (43.7 rebounds per game) on at least 3 days rest.
*Via ESPN: Coming into Tuesday, the Celtics have played 28 Christmas games all-time. Their 29th in 2012 ties them for the fourth most Christmas games in NBA history.
–1st: Knicks (48 coming into Tuesday)
–2nd: Lakers (39)
–3rd: Pistons (32)
*If the Celtics end up acquiring DeMarcus Cousins (21st in Hollinger’s Rebound Rate), they would then have 3 of the Top 100 in Hollinger’s Rebound Rate. The Nets currently have 3 players in the Top 26.
–1st: Anderson Varejao (23.4)
–2nd: Reggie Evans (23.2)
–10th: Kris Humphries (19.0)
–23rd: Jared Sullinger (17.7)
–26th: Andray Blatche (17.0)
–T-67th: Kevin Garnett (14.3)
*For the first time in Paul Pierce’s career, he has scored at least 32 points in 3 straight home games.
*Via Elias: Pierce is the 2nd oldest player in history with at least 35 points in consecutive games. The only older player to do this was Michael Jordan.
*The Celtics are 6-1 this season when Kevin Garnett scores at least 18 points.
*Around the NBA:
–Including the 2012-13 season, the Atlanta Hawks have started 16-9 in each of the last 3 seasons.
*Milestone Watch:
–All-Time NBA Points Scored–
23. Adrian Dantley 23,177
24. Elgin Baylor 23,149
25. Paul Pierce 23,136 (Pierce needs 14 to move into 24th place)
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