**The Celtics ranked last in transition offense. Boston was 7.1% less efficient than the NBA median. But the kicker is that they tried to run. The Celtics ranked 9th in the league in transition plays. Two of the team’s primary ball handlers – Evan Turner and Marcus Smart ranked among the 3 least efficient transition players in the NBA (min. 100 transition plays), along with Manu Ginobili (130 players qualified).
**The Celtics’ pace reflected their desire to run. Boston averaged 98.4 possessions per 48 minutes, ranking 5th in the league, and fastest in the Eastern Conference. It was the franchise’s fastest pace in 18 years (1996-97).
**The Celtics have decisions to make on their top 3 returning leaders in win shares – Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk – after the season. Zeller and Sullinger will be restricted free agents, while there is a team option on Olynyk.
**Tyler Zeller’s increase in efficiency can be correlated to better shots from shorter distances. His adjustments led to career-bests in effective field goal percentage, assist percentage, turnover percentage and usage percentage last season.
Tyler Zeller
NBA Career
PER Avg. Shot Distance
2012-13 11.0 9.9
2013-14 15.4 6.3
2014-15 18.9 5.8
**Marcus Smart’s defensive rating made a massive leap forward after the break (a 3.5% improvement). This was largely because ball pressure became a major focus. Smart’s rate of pressuring the ball was 79.7% higher than the league average after the break. His rate of fouling opponents dropped by about 20%. In the meantime, he was able to contest shots at a high level and keep opposing defenders in front of him, ranking in the top 10 among all players after the break.
Peter Newmann is an analyst and writer who spent 10 years at ESPN, 8 as the NBA senior researcher working 24/7 on the league. He wrote game notes for crews, articles for ESPN.com, analysis for studio shows, and regularly assisted reporters and writers. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his Web site, www.peternewmann.com.