An Interesting and Possibly Even Relevant Fun Stat

Posted by Zach Lowe on Nov 5, 2009 40782 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F11%2F05%2Fan-interesting-and-possibly-even-relevant-fun-stat%2FAn+Interesting+and+Possibly+Even+Relevant+Fun+Stat2009-11-05+19%3A56%3A26Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D4078

Via Chris Forsberg at ESPN Boston:

With Wednesday’s win over the Timberwolves, the Celtics became the first team in NBA history to start the season 6-0 and hold teams under 90 points in each game since the 1947-48 Baltimore Bullets accomplished that feat in the days of the Basketball Association of America.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Bullets opened that season 9-0 — defeating the Celtics three times during that span, no less — while holding opponents to 65.9 points per game in the pre-shot clock era. The Celtics are limiting opponents to a mere 81.5 points per game and the 90 points posted Wednesday night by the Timberwolves were a season-high allowed by the Green.

Worth noting: The C’s opponents so far this season rank as follows in offensive efficiency, according to Basketball Reference: 11th (New Orleans), 12th (Philly), 16th (Cleveland), 23rd (Minnesota), 27th (Chicag0) and 30th (Charlotte).

Of course, the season is young enough—and the sample size small enough—that these teams might rank so poorly in part because they’ve already played Boston. But even so: These are not offensive juggernauts.

But the stat is fun, interesting and relevant, I think. Nice work, ESPN and Elias.