NOTES
The Eastern Conference’s two best teams since the All-Star break go head-to-head tonight when the Chicago Bulls host the Boston Celtics (TNT, 7 p.m. ET). Only the San Antonio Spurs (14-4, .778) have a better winning percentage than the Bulls (15-5, .750) and Celtics (15-6, .714) in the second half.
The league-leading Bulls (42-13, .764) have had success despite reigning MVP Derrick Rose missing significant time due to injuries. According to NBA.com, Chicago has been without Rose for 21 games this season, including the last 11 for a groin injury; they are 7-4 during the latest stretch, losing the last two for their first two-game skid of the season and three of their last five. According to NBA.com/Stats, the Bulls over their last 20, however, are averaging 95.9 points while allowing 89.9 ppg, comparable to their season averages of 96.8 ppg and 88.6 ppg, respectively. Over their last five games, however, Chicago has averaged 88.6 points while allowing 89.4 ppg. Their fall-off over the last five games seems to indicate the Bulls need Rose healthy sooner rather than later. In fact, tonight (he’s a game-time decision) would be optimal considering how well the Celtics have played of late.
Prior to last night’s 87-86 loss to San Antonio, the Celtics had won five straight and seven of 10, in the process moving into first place in the Atlantic Division. According to NBA.com/Stats, over their last 10 games, the Celtics are allowing 88.5 ppg; over their last five it drops to an anemic 83.0 ppg. Boston’s increased defensive intensity — they are surrendering 89.2 ppg for the season — has coincided with an uptick in offense. Boston, which averaged 89.4 points in the first half (34 games), is scoring at a 94.6 ppg clip in 21 games since. Much of the credit needs to go to Rajon Rondo, who is pacing the league in assists in the second half, averaging 12.6 compared to 9.5 apg pre-All-Star break. Kevin Garnett has been perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Rondo’s passing acumen, seeing his scoring average jump nearly three points in the second half to 17.2 ppg over his last 21 games compared to 14.4 ppg in the first half. Overall this season, 77.5 percent of Garnett’s made baskets (325) have come courtesy of an assist, with Rondo credited with 120; the second half has seen 82.5 percent of Garnett’s 135 makes via the assist, 71 from Rondo. Rondo, therefore, has assisted on 53 percent of Garnett’s field goals in the second half, compared to 37 percent prior to the break.
Stats & Stuff:
- Boston’s Rajon Rondo logged 11 assists against San Antonio last night, extending his streak of games with 10 or more assists to 14. Rondo had a streak of nine games last season with 10 or more assists (no other player in Celtic history has had a streak of more than seven games). Rondo’s current streak ties the longest for any player in the NBA since Steve Nash had 10 or more assists in 14 straight games in March and April of 2005, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
- Detroit’s Greg Monroe (16.0 ppg) and Brandon Knight (12.6 ppg) rank fourth and sixth in scoring, respectively, among NBA players under 22 years old.
- New York’s Steve Novak is first in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage .478. The last Knick to lead the NBA in three-point percentage was Campy Russell (.439) in 1981-1982. The highest single season three-point field goal percentage by a Knick was .476 (minimum 41 made):Hubert Davis, 1995-1996 season.
- Sacramento’s Isaiah Thomas is averaging 20.0 points and 6.8 assists in the last five contests.