Why has Boston such a low 3-point-shooting-percentage?

[RodyTur10]

Can somebody explain how come our shooting percentage from 3-point-land is soo low in comparison with other playoff teams? While not having the Rockets-fire-away-style, the 3-pointer is a big component of the Celtics offense. Yet despite our best players are good shooters we aren't very efficient from the perimeter.

Of all the eight teams that made it to the second round in the playoffs the Celtics are dead last with a 3P% of just 34.1%.
The closest other teams are the Bucks (who had a terrible series) at 35.8% and the Lakers (less dependent on threes) at 35.9%. In the meantime the Clippers shoot 37.8%, the Heat shoot 38.0% and the Nuggets shoot a staggering 39.5%!

So each 3-point-shot on average yielded the following amount of points: Celtics (1.02), Lakers (1.08), Clippers (1.13), Heat (1.14) and Nuggets (1.19). That are very significant differences.

By the way, for 2-point-shots respectively: Celtics (1.06), Lakers (1.17), Clippers (1.09), Heat (1.06) and Nuggets (1.02). (doesn't include points won by and-ones)

Another point of attention is our low number of assists. The Clippers (that rely heavily on Leonard and George creating their own offense) are close in assist numbers, assist/turnover ratio etc., but all the other teams do a lot better than the Celtics in that department as well. Clearly improvements must be made on offense.

[RPGenerate]

The Raptors had the best defense in the league (1st in ppg, 2nd in def rating), and were the best team at defending the 3 this season. The Sixers also ranked 6th in ppg and 8th in def rating. While our offense can always improve, that's probably why our efficiency is relatively low.

[Roy H.]

The Raptors had the best 3PT% allowed during the regular season.

Plus, one of our best shooters and facilitators was out.

[ozgod]

That lowish number is probably one of the reasons that Nick Nurse decided a box and one would work on our team...if you're shackling one of our best 3 point shooters by shadowing him all over the court and basically denying him the ball and trapping him when he gets it, the other perimeter shooters need to make them pay with the open shots they get. We haven't taken advantage of open shots as much as we could have:



If it's any consolation: a) Miami probably won't employ a box and one; and b) they're even worse at open shots than we are 

[footey]

We need Gordon.

[hpantazo]

The Raptors had the best 3PT% allowed during the regular season.

Plus, one of our best shooters and facilitators was out.

Basically this. Toronto was really good at defending the 3. Gordon's absence hurt of course, and Jaylen stunk up the joint from 3pt range for the last 4 games of that series.

[gouki88]

Toronto's defence is essentially the opposite of Milwaukee. We bludgeoned them inside, dominating points in the paint and free throws, but they tried to slow down our three point shooting

[iadera]

I just know that in this Raptors series Celtics scored 2nd most number of 3s scored by a team in one playoff series of all-time.

[wiley]

I just know that in this Raptors series Celtics scored 2nd most number of 3s scored by a team in one playoff series of all-time.

Then we must have broken or almost broken the record for takes! 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Historically, CBS teams don't have highly efficient three point shooting stats. Actually, typically when they have shot better, it led to meh win-loss results. I think part of the reason for this is that CBS teams typically have lower turnover numbers, but that also means those possessions they are getting up more shots. I also think their poor shooting is a natural effect of the energy-consuming defense that the Cs were playing on the Raptors. Nurse does the same thing CBS does. Both coaches try to wear teams out by making them work on defense, which results in their offensive shooting percentages and their will to drive into traffic going down. Credit the Raptors and the Sixers on their defense too though. Both teams did a good job pressuring the three.

I believe CBS might be thinking, "Law of averages. Law of averages."

The Cs went against Harris-Richardson-Thybulle defense on the wings and guards in the first round. They abused the Milton and Horford matchups primarily.

The Cs went against the OG-Siakim-Lowry-FVV defense on the wings and guards in the second round. There was really no place the Cs could abuse matchups, although they did attack Ibaka consistently when he was in the game.

The Cs will face Butler-Crowder-Iggy in the conference finals. All three are tough, smart, gritty defenders, but none of them have the quickness that the Raptors have. All three will struggle closing out to shooters without giving up blow-bys. The Cs will almost definitely look to abuse the Dragic-Herro-Robinson matchups whenever they can. Olynyk will probably be switching more often than Ibaka and more like Horford from the previous too rounds. Olynyk is a smart player with underrated defense, but I think that's a matchup they can work.

[KGs Knee]

The NBA has become a quantity over quality league in terms of three point shooting. I saw a stat last week in which the team that made more threes (regardless of percentage) has won an overwhelming majority of games in these playoffs.

[SHAQATTACK]

We need Gordon.

more that many folks on this blog realize

[SHAQATTACK]

I just know that in this Raptors series Celtics scored 2nd most number of 3s scored by a team in one playoff series of all-time.

Then we must have broken or almost broken the record for takes!

yes ... we seem to live or die by the Smart three's 


They come in bunches 

[Vermont Green]

I am not too worried about this.  In the playoffs, the Celtics 3P% is 34.1% on 36.3 Attempts.  That gets them 12.4 makes.  If they make even one more, that gets their percentage to about 37%  Miami is 14 for 37 on average.  We make one more 3 per game and defend a little better and it is a wash.

And yes, taking out Hayward (regular season 38.3%) doesn't help but the real issue is Kemba Walker.  38.1% regular season and 28.4% post season.  Now that is a statistically significant change.  He has gone from 3.2 makes regular season to 1.9 makes post season.  Just those 1.3 makes would put us at 37.7%.

Anyway, we should focus more on transition baskets and just good ball movement so that we get more easy baskets.  Take the 3 when you have the good look and things will take care of themselves.  This applies especially to Kemba.  If they want to continue to double him, fine, just move the ball.  Some one is open.  Don't force it.  Facilitate, push the ball to get some early office for you or others.

[Vermont Green]

Walker was 1 for 9.  Seems there is something wrong with him.  If he makes even 2 of 9, we win.  Our team doesn't know how to play at crunch time without Kemba (which is essentially the situation even though he is on the court).