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Irish Coffee: How Celtics perform in clutch situations 12.10.12 at 5:10 pm ET
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After Rajon Rondo missed not one, but both game-winning opportunities in a 95-94 Celtics loss to the 76ers over the weekend — a failed 19-footer to end regulation and the infamous slippery 16-footer as overtime ran out — I got to wondering how the C’s are performing in clutch situations (either team within five points with five minutes remaining in regulation and overtime), since half of their 20 games have been decided by six points or less.

The C’s are 6-4 in those 10 games despite shooting 37.4 percent as a team in a whopping 60.2 clutch minutes, including three overtime games. They’ve had four potential game-winning shots at the buzzer — all misses on long jumpers — and Rondo has taken three of them. Paul Pierce attempted the fourth (from the elbow, of course).

Before we started reading into who’s doing what in the clutch, here are the numbers (Leandro Barbosa, Chris Wilcox and Jared Sullinger have all played sparingly in crunch time, but not a large enough sample size).

MIN FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% REB AST STL TO PF
PIERCE 59.0 6/23 .261 5/12 .417 8/12 .750 5 5 2 2 6
GARNETT 57.6 13/30 .433 0/0 N/A 13/16 .813 18 3 1 2 6
TERRY 46.2 4/11 .364 2/6 .333 5/8 .625 3 4 2 0 0
RONDO 45.4 5/13 .385 0/1 .000 4/6 .667 11 17 1 4 2
BASS 38.5 6/14 .429 0/0 N/A 4/6 .667 13 0 0 2 5
GREEN 22.5 6/10 .600 3/5 .600 3/3 100.0 7 0 0 1 4
LEE 17.7 0/3 .000 0/3 .000 0/0 N/A 2 0 1 0 2
CELTICS 60.2 40/107 .374 10/30 .300 37/51 .726 61 29 8 11 27

And here are those Celtics averages per 48 minutes in the same clutch situations.

PTS FG% 3P% FT% REB AST STL TO PF
PIERCE 20.3 .261 .417 .750 4.1 4.1 1.6 1.6 4.9
GARNETT 32.5 .433 N/A .813 15.0 2.5 0.8 1.7 5.0
TERRY 14.5 .364 .333 .625 3.1 4.2 2.1 0.0 0.0
RONDO 15.9 .385 .000 .667 11.6 18.0 1.1 4.2 2.1
BASS 20.0 .429 N/A .667 16.2 0.0 0.0 2.5 6.2
GREEN 38.4 .600 .600 100.0 14.9 0.0 0.0 2.1 8.5
LEE 0.0 .000 .000 N/A 5.4 0.0 2.7 0.0 5.4
CELTICS 101.3 .374 .300 .726 61 29 8 11 27

And here are the locations and percentages for all the Celtics shots in those same clutch situations.

AT RIM FG% 3-9 FT. FG% 10-15 FT. FG% 16-23 FT. FG% 3P 3P%
PIERCE 0/1 .000 0/3 .000 0/2 .000 1/5 .200 5/12 .417
GARNETT 5/7 .714 2/6 .333 3/6 .500 3/11 .273 0/0 N/A
TERRY 0/1 .000 0/1 .000 0/0 N/A 2/3 .667 2/6 .333
RONDO 2/2 100.0 0/1 .000 1/1 100.0 2/8 .250 0/1 .000
BASS 5/8 .625 0/0 N/A 0/0 N/A 1/6 .167 0/0 N/A
GREEN 1/1 100.0 2/2 100.0 0/0 N/A 0/2 .000 3/5 .600
LEE 0/0 N/A 0/0 N/A 0/0 N/A 0/0 N/A 0/3 .000
CELTICS 13/20 .650 4/13 .308 4/9 .444 9/35 .257 10/27 .370

Now that you’ve had a moment to digest these numbers, here are 10 things to consider.

  • After finishing as one of the 10 best scorers in the clutch last season, Pierce has been atrocious this year, shooting 26.1 percent (down from 51.0% a year ago). He’s gotten to the rim only once in almost 60 minutes of clutch play. In fact, he’s shooting just 1-of-11 inside the 3-point line in such situations.
  • As he should be, Garnett has been the C’s workhorse in the clutch. He’s taken almost 30 percent of their 100-plus field goal attempts, making a respectable 43.3 percent of them. And he’s been most successful in the post, where he’s shot 5-of-7 at the rim and gotten to the free throw line 16 times.
  • Rondo has been extremely Rondo-like, averaging a ridiculous 15.9 points, 18.0 assists and 11.6 rebounds per 48 clutch minutes (oh, and 4.2 turnovers, too). However, he’s shooting just 2-of-8 (25.0 FG%) on long jumpers in the clutch as opposed to 28-of-48 (58.3 FG%) the rest of the season.
  • For all his faults this season, Green has been the C’s best performer in the clutch, averaging 38.4 points (60.0 FG%, 60.0 3P%, 100.0 FT%) and 14.9 rebounds per 48 minutes. Now, if only the Celtics could get him to play with that much assertiveness the rest of the game.
  • Likewise, Bass has been a beast inside, averaging 20.0 points (5-8 FG at the rim) and 16.2 rebounds per 48 minutes of clutch time. Considering he usually takes more than half his shots from 16-23 feet and averages single-digit boards per 48 minutes for the entire year, why doesn’t he attack the rim more often?
  • Terry started 4-of-6 from the floor (2-3 3P) over his first seven appearances in clutch situations. Since then, in an ugly overtime win over the Magic and losses to the Bucks and 76ers, he’s 0-for-5.
  • Lee has played 17:41 in clutch situations, taken three treys and missed all of them, including the absurd air ball on a wide-open attempt from the corner against the 76ers on Friday night.
  • Somehow, Sullinger has played 4:19 of clutch time and failed to register a single stat of any kind.
  • In 6:36 during clutch situations, Barbosa has committed three personal fouls (21.7 per 48 minutes).
  • In clutch situations, the C’s attempt the most shots from 16-23 feet, where they have their worst shooting percentage. In fact, more than half of their 107 field goals during those stretches have come outside of 16 feet, where they’re shooting 30.7 percent. Meanwhile, they’ve made 50 percent of their shots within 15 feet.

If you’ve watched the Celtics this season and thought to yourself, “They do way too much standing around and setting for jumpers,” you’re absolutely right. The Celtics have a point guard who can beat anybody in the NBA off the dribble, and yet all four of their game-winning attempts have been isolation jump shots. Not a good look.

(Have a question, concern or conception for the next Irish Coffee? Send a message to @brohrbach on Twitter.)

Read More: Boston Celtics, Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee, Jason Terry Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Andy

    Lavarnway is ready now, at least to share catching duty with Salty.  He’s not going to benefit much from more time in AAA, and the Sox can use his bat.

  • Screw

    Trade this guy then.  This guy has gone to school in NE and wants to root for a Knicks player.  This lug will hit for a while, they will have the book on him and he will likely be a dud.  Prove me wrong…..if you can. 

  • yo

    He hit .285.  Not .385.

  • yo

    He belongs in the majors now.  Too bad he’ll have to hang out in AAA far longer than he has to.  Or leave in a trade, although with Youk over 30….  Seattle should give up one of their great young arms for him.  

  • Snow

    You goes to DH/back-up 1st and 3rd next year and Middlebrooks starts at 3rd. 

    • Snow

      *Youk

  • MEALZ

    .285 between 3 leagues last year not .385

  • EarlSweatshirt

    From all scouting reports I’ve read, his plate approach is the one glaring weakness in his game.  He projects for plus defense and plus power, but he has a disappointing walk rates and doesn’t make contact enough.  At the MLB level he might get exposed or have very little consistency unless he improves his approach.  This report is strange.

  • EarlSweatshirt

    If he has such a good understanding of the opposing pitchers, why hasn’t his walk rate reflected that in professional baseball?  If he’s aged advanced in pitch recognition, is he just consciously overly aggressive?  I don’t get it.

  • Andy

    How can Valentine know that after so little time with Middlebrooks? 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_L4ZET7H7KOG7RWYUF4NIAZYEMM Robert

    I believe he hit .485 last year, fellas.

  • http://www.robertreeveslaw.com/traffic-accidents/truck-accidents.htm Truck Accident Lawyer

    Valentine is an idiot

  • Dpalm777

    beckett definitely, best pitcher last year hands down besides september, but everybody had a bad september

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     Bobby V will give it to Beckett, but it should be Lester. 

  • PVS53

    He will be a 20-1 shot to make the team. Way too much veteran competition at WR.

  • Msnjk1865

    Yeah–ocho who?

  • mikepatriot

    this is what i’m talkin’ bout for a wide out’s height; 6’5, long catch radius. He doesn’t necessarily have to be a burner or a guy w/ glue on his fingers. He may fit in in the team as a role player in the mix, a guy who flies under the radar in a big game and makes a huge play. Anyone remember a very mediocre player named David Tyree? I no longer count BB out when it comes to gettiing more out of an average skill player who’s willing to buy in. F@#k stinko.

  • Greg

    So when is it Welker`s turn.

  • Paauweeric

    junior u were a legend and always will be ur my role modle 

  • mikepatriot

    I will always recall the joy and amusement i felt whenever Junior made a particularly big tackle. He had a reaction that was almost spastic, the whole body would jerk and convulse, a bit hotdoggish, but i loved it. This is another one of the few i felt really bad for, coming so close to the brass ring, never acquiring it and being more deserving than so many others who just fell into it with no great effort thier rookie years because of the team around them, mainly. Seau was a consummate nfl pro; a player’s player and a fan icon. Rest in  peace, happy warrior. I hope that his family heals.

  • Hubsportsman

    :( R.I.P Junior S sad day for the nfl and Patriots Nation

  • Digarcia04

    God bless we loved your beautiful spirit on and off the field. Rest in peace…

  • Thepaxproject

    Not only am I sad to hear of the passing of hall of famer Junior Seau but I am also saddened by the discourteous manner in which the Glen Ordway and Michael Holley show discredited Junior’s gameplay as a hall of fame linebacker and it was so incredulous and irresponsible that Junior and his family deserve an apology. To say that Junior’s stats were inflated. LOOK AT THE DAMN FILM! HOW DARE YOU GUYS! 

    • mikepatriot

      yeah. i agree with you about the two donut lifting athletes. As an aside, this is part of the group that will bum kiss for Steve Deossie’s  two faced,shabby treatment of the fans.

  • Nanjmil

    I am very sad to learn of Junior Seau’s passing. I was shocked to learn of his sudden death.  He was a phenomenal and amazing football player with a very warm and generous personality. My deepest condolences go out to his family.  Rest in Peace, my friend.

  • John

    Stallworth will be the one let go, Edelman has value in all three phases.

  • johnhenryhatesbaseball

    Dante’ will get drunk and drive his car on to the practice field and hit Welker.

    • Timmyp2353

      “Hahahaha I am uncreative and have nothing to add to this conversation.” – johnhenryhatesbaseball.    Why don’t you throw a Ray Lewis or O.J. joke in there too?

  • Yldrs11

     ”At least one veteran of note won’t make it to opening day.”

    Donte Stallworth, Anthony Gonzalez,Chad Ochocinco better step it up. Good competition at WR this year. BB is definitely putting pressure on Welker so if Wes decides to hold out he better come ready and prepared to produce whenever he decides to get back on board. I say take the $9 mil and play it out Wes.

  • Benny

    Ocho definitely looks out now…plenty of “long” receivers now and I doubt his 2 or 3 catches over 16 games will be missed.

  • Paul Murphy

    Bye Bye Ocho

  • Paul Murphy

    Bye Bye Branch

  • Paul Murphy

    Ocho and Branch Too Old and Too SLOW

  • jarvisgrislore

    Very clear message being sent to Welker…guy is not going to get paid Fitz/Megatron money, quit bitching about 9.5 million a year and sign the tender Wes.  This is a business over at Foxboro believe it or not.  5’9″ 30+ yr. old slot WR’s are really not in high demand around the NFL…and the Pats know this.

  • PVS53

    A very good draft for the Pats. The defense should be seriously upgraded over last year. Excited to see a good agressive defense this year. Opposing QBs will have to earn their yardage from now on.

    • Jenandmike7711

      lets start the season now!!!! super bowl bound!!!

  • Bosox510

    RC, you need to get a smarter brain so you can tell the difference between tongue-in-cheek remarks from your fellow Pats fans and hater comments. For the record I’m happy to see Hoodie getting out and having fun. See RC, you can root for someone but still mock them a little, that’s what people with real lives do.

  • Newyorker1

    Bills Cant Even Sniff My Gym Shorts,They Bite The Small One.lol

  • Leeh3760

    Now now Gents put your testostorone back in your pants,Adadii is versatile,the Pats are the Yankees of the NFL, they buy and buy,but it doesn,t always lead them back to the Super Bowl. my gut is the Bills are due. Im a Bears fan so I care not. GO BEARS!

    • Pgarrity18

      You know there is a salary cap in the nfl right?

  • PatriotsBruinsCelticsRedSox

    Hey does anybody know if the Pats are gonna resign Brian Waters and Andre Carter? We better…Honestly we need to sign 3 guys and then our roster will be the best its been in 5 years. We gotta sign Andre Carter to a 2 year contract with incentives, we need Brian Waters back BIG TIME, and we need Welker…Welker should get a 3 year 32 million dollar deal with 18 million guaranteed…Anybody besides me think thats fair? Cause Welker aint getin anymore than that…The last thing we want is the Jets to sign him…

  • Ty

    What coach Dante Scarnecchia had to say about Matt Light pretty much says it all. Thanks for a great 11 years, Matt, you will definitely be missed! As Scarnecchia said himself, you were the motor behind that Purdue machine, and you definitely were an important cog in the machine that helped us win those 3 Super Bowls in the previous decade.

  • Hugh Lee

    I like the two hybrid first round drat picks the New England Patriots selected. Chandler Jones has great size and long length with the ability to rush the quarterback. Dont”a Hightower played in Alabama with Nick Saban in a pro style defense. These two players is the Patriots future in impact players that the defense so desperately was searching for. Their versatility and high football IQ’s is something that coach Belichick looks for in his football players. I am very excited about the Patriots defense in the near future. I believe that they will both have a huge upside in this years defense also. They have a good combination of veterans and young players on their defense. The Patriots defense will be solid in 2012. 

  • Mark Spacco

    This year I project 8 sacks, 4 fumbles, and 1 interception. He will be voted into the Pro Bowl in his 2nd year and be in the top 10 of DE for the next 10 years. I also see 3 rings 1st in his 2nd year, 2nd in his 3rd year and 3rd in his 6th.

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     have a try

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  • RamboBoston

    What about cinco no pitcho?

  • Rsmrob100

    I think you nailed it. Some people think they will keep him as insurance against Welker but I am not so sure. I don’t think Wes is going anywhere.

  • Garyritter

    If he caught the bleepin ball, we would have won.Welker’s value outside of New England is not what he thinks it is.

  • Leverage

    It’s called gaining ”Leverage.”  It’s smart business.

  • Skmcc8584

    Are you kidding? Do you think he gets anywhere near those numbers elsewhere? How come he didn’t get them with Miami ?

  • Chip

     If you listen to the audio in context, he was really talking about some fan’s perception, not his own opinion. As a Pats fan, I’m not offended by what he said. It is just being spun to be more ‘sensational’.

  • Adogslife52

    LOL!  LOL!  LOL!  Yeah, right!  Dream on you dellusional twit!

  • Adogslife52

    because patriots fans are still living in the world where their team is 19-0, instead of 18-O NOES!!! the New York Giants beat us at the last minute.  I loved that game!

  • Spitfire1064

    Let me start by saying…….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!
    Wow that was a funny joke man! Thanks i needed that.

  • 3A

    Jim Kelly isn’t walking thu that door, nor is Bruce Smith or Thurman Thomas… Bills improving, but they aren’t that good

  • Marinevet92

    Why would Peyton cry when he is in Denver and not Indy any more??????

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