This stat shows importance of 3-point shooting for Celtics in NBA Finals

This stat shows importance of 3-point shooting for Celtics in NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in history. Can they maintain that success against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals?

The series begins Thursday night with Game 1 at TD Garden.

The Celtics are the favorites, and one reason for that is their ability to knock down 3-point shots at a high rate. The C’s hit 1,351 3-pointers during the regular season — the second-most by any team in history. They also ranked No. 1 in 3-pointers attempted (3,482) and second in 3-point percentage (38.8).

Boston has been pretty effective from beyond the arc during the playoffs, too. The Celtics lead the playoffs in 3-point shots made (14.6) and attempted (39.8) per game. They are sixth in playoff 3-point percentage (36.8).

What’s the key number to watch for the Celtics in regards to 3-point shooting? Thirty-two percent is the line. If the C’s shoot above this level, they should be in good shape.

Here’s a look at the Celtics’ record this season (including the playoffs) when they shoot above or below 32 percent from 3-point range (h/t Sean Grange of 98.5 The Sports Hub).

The Celtics have shot above 32 percent on 3-pointers in 11 of their first 14 games in the playoffs, which is pretty impressive consistency.

And even though the Celtics are shooting slightly above the league average from 3-point range in the playoffs, there is still room for improvement. Jayson Tatum is scoring 26 points per game in the playoffs despite shooting just 29 percent on 3-pointers. Sam Hauser shot 1-of-14 from beyond the arc in the Eastern Conference Finals. If either one of these players gets hot in the Finals, it would be a massive boost for the Celtics.

Star center Kristaps Porzingis is also set to return Thursday after missing the previous 10 games due to a calf injury. Porzingis is a quality 3-point shooter, too, and he went 4-of-8 from beyond the arc in the Celtics’ March 1 win over the Mavericks.

The Celtics don’t need to shoot lights out from 3-point range to beat the Mavericks. They have a lot of ways to…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/stat-shows-importance-3-point-220133046.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-06 22:01:33

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