We have now moved up to third in the league at getting opponents to commit turnovers at an avg of 16 per game. Since Wallace has been inserted into the starting lineup, that number has been ~17 per game. And this is directly leading to more fast breaks. (as a comparison, we were 23rd last year, and 24th the year before)
Excellent, turnovers and offensive rebounds means more possessions for us and can help overcome poor shooting (or hot shooting by our opponents). In several recent games, we've been out shot by our opponents, but still won the game thanks to turnovers by our opponents and strong offensive rebounding by the Blazers. The Dallas game is probably the most significant example, but last night vs. the Spurs, those extra possessions won us another game in spite of getting out shot by our opponent. Dallas vs. Portland FG% - Dallas 59.7%; Port 47.1% 3FG% - Dallas 42.9%; Portland 42.9% TOV - Dallas 15; Portland 7; +8 ORB - Dallas 6; Portland 15; +9 So, we got 17 net extra possessions off turnovers and offensive rebounds and won the game by 3 points. San Antonio vs. Portland FG% - San Antonio 51.3%; Port 46.5% 3FG% - San Antonio 47.8%; Portland 26.9% TOV - San Antonio 19; Portland 15; +4 ORB - San Antonio 8; Portland 12; +5 So, we got 9 net extra possessions off turnovers and offensive rebounds and won the game by 2 points on the final possession. BNM
The most amazing thing about that to me is that we are 3rd TOTAL in assists, yet we play at the slowest pace in the league. The turnovers isn't a pace adjusted stat. Very impressive. And we're 4th in turning the ball over the fewest. Our opponents have almost 200 more turnovers this year than we do.
Its not that surprising that it has spiked since Wallace came aboard. He gets about 2 steals a game, so that's adding 2 turnovers there.
And he's not just producing his own steals, but facilitating more steals for teammates; since he's been inserted into the starting lineup, Ive noticed many more opponent passes being deflected and stolen by a Matthews or Rudy or Batum. Wallace hounds his man, and forces bad decisions on the opponent's part.
Even better in turnover difference, 2nd place. (Click on diff twice.) http://www.nba.com/statistics/sortable_team_statistics/sortable3.html#top
Scroll down to the stats. "Last 10 games" of opponents is the 12th line down. http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/portland-trail-blazers/team/stats/11/25/1-2-id We averaged 12.4 turnovers. Opponents had 16.2. Edit: Oops, you asked for FG%. Them .473, us .462.
