Rebounds Tell the Tale of 13-2 Start

Game 15     Toronto       +7     Easy Win
Game 14     Minnesota     +4     Easy Win
Game 13     Detroit       +5     Easy Win
Game 12     New York      +9     Easy Win
Game 11     Milwaukee     -6     OT Win
Game 10     Denver        -6     Loss
Game 9      Atlanta       +11    Close Win
Game 8      Toronto       Even   Close Win
Game 7      Detroit       +7     Easy Win
Game 6      Milwaukee     -1     See Saw Win
Game 5      OKC           +3     Easy Win
Game 4      Houston       +5     Close Win
Game 3      Pacers        +4     Decisive Loss
Game 2      Chicago       +5     Easy Win
Game 1      Cleveland     +4     Easy Win

Bottom line: We rebound, we win. We don't, we struggle.

I see four outliers.

We outrebounded Atlanta 11 (including 15-5) on the offensive end, but, save for a Paul Pierce buzzer beater, almost lost. What gives? First, the Hawks shot .456 from the field, a pretty healthy field-goal percentage against the C's. Second, Atlanta shot 13-22 from range, which translates to an astounding .591. The Celtics? 5-24 for .208.

We lost to the Pacers by 16, but outrebounded them by 4. What gives? 24 Celtics turnovers, that's what.

We outrebounded Houston by 5, but had to cling to a small lead to hold on for the W. What gives? We committed 17 turnovers (Houston only 11), and they hit four more from range than we did.

We defeated Milwaukee despite getting out rebounded by 6. What gives? Our defense held the Bucks to .365 from the field.