Celtics Title Town

During the season after every game. We review the Celtics by the numbers. So this is the off season edition.

I think it's safe to say that the Celtics have been the best defensive team for the past five seasons. They've had great numbers, and it's been beautiful to watch visually. The Celtics credit defense for their 2008 championship. KG came to town,and he brought every ounce of intensity on the defensive end. So let's dive into the numbers for the past five seasons.

Point differential

2007-08: + 10.2 (Ranked  1st)

2008-09: +  7.2  ( Ranked 3rd)

2009-10: +  3.6  (Ranked 9th)

2010-11: +  5.4  ( Ranked 6th)

2011-12: +  2.5  ( Ranked 11th)

So the Celtics have been a defensive force, but why has the point differential dropped every season? Well the offense has dropped off every season. The Celtics still allow around the same amount of points every season.

Points Allowed

2007-08:  90.3  (Ranked 2nd)

2008-09:  93.4  (Ranked 3rd)

2009-10:  95.6  (Ranked 5th)

2010-11:  91.1  (Ranked 1st)

2011-12:  89.3  (Ranked 2nd)

The Celtics have played some of their best defense in the past two seasons, and the points allowed show that. The 2008-09 season was off from the norm, because KG missed over 26 games, and he wasn't playing for the final two months of the season. In  the 2009-10 season. The Celtics limped the entire season, but they found their defense, and they reached the Finals.

Opponent Field Goal Percentage

2007-08: .419 ( Ranked 1st)

2008-09: .431 ( Ranked 1st)

2009-10: .451 ( Ranked 9th)

2010-11: 434  (Ranked 3rd)

2011-12: .419  (Ranked 1st)

The Celtics have been the best in this defensive category for the past five seasons.

Opponent 3-point Field Goal Percentage

2007-08: .316  (Ranked 1st)

2008-09: .349  ( Ranked 5th)

2009-10:  .342 ( Ranked 3rd)

2010-11:  .340 (Ranked 5th)

2011-12:  .308 ( Ranked 1st)

Ray Allen will be going up against one of the best three-point defenses in the league.

Opponent Turnovers Per Game

2007-08: 16.0 (Ranked 3rd)

2008-09: 14.6 (Ranked 9th)

2009-10: 15.6 ( Ranked 2nd)

2010-11: 15.4 (Ranked 5th)

2011-12:  15.7 (Ranked 5th)

So as you see. The Celtics rank high in every major defensive category year in,and year out. Their defensive execution has been one of the greatest of all time. I strongly feel that a second title will put this era of Celtics basketball in great company in a lot of categories. Defensive is one of them.