The Boston Celtics are still the best rebounding team in basketball, at least as rebounding is measured by team differential on a per-game basis. The Celtics outrebound their opponents by an average of 5.82 rebounds per game. Portland is second with a 5.66 differential.
During the 18-game winning streak, however, the Celtics have outrebounded their opponents by almost eight full rebounds per game, including eye-opening margins of 50-30 against Utah, 41-26 against Washington, 54-31 against Indiana, and 47-23 against the Knicks.
We've been outrebounded three times during the streak.
The Bobcats outrebounded us by 3, the Sixers outrebounded us by 5, and Milwaukee outrebounded us by 6. Both the Cats and Bucks played us close, while we crushed the Sixers by 24. The Celtics have been outrebounded only once in their last 11 games, but twice in the first seven games on this streak.
Stated differently, we’re becoming a better rebounding team. Over the last nine games, our average rebounding advantage is close to thirteen per game.
Part of the improvement, of course, must be attributed to Rajon Rondo, who is averaging five rebounds per game from the point guard position. Kendrick Perkins has also rounded into form over the last ten games. When you’ve got KP, KG, PP, and RR all playing well, you’re going to win more than your share of rebounding match-ups, and you’re going to win many of them decisively.
More food for thought for those of us concerned with our undersized bigs off the bench.
No comments:
Post a Comment