Looking at advanced stats, some perpetual best lineups of an NBA team might be much different than you expected. Let’s take a look at the best one for every NBA team using Offensive Rating (ORTG) and Defensive Rating (DRTG)
Key:
Offensive Rating – ORTG
Defensive Rating – DRTG
Formula: This won’t be just flat out off of ORTG/DRTG. Factors of minutes played together and time overall spent on the court will also play a part into the decision.
With that understood, let’s get to every NBA team’s best statistical lineups.
Atlanta Hawks
Lineup: T. Hardaway Jr., D. Howard, P. Millsap, D. Schroder, T. Sefolosha
ORTG: 120.5 DRTG: 92.9
This lineup is actually something I could imagine being their best lineup, unlike some other teams. Both Thabo and Millsap are superb defenders, and Howard still does a great job down low.
Schroder and Hardaway both can score at very solid efficiency and Millsap is a very underrated scorer. I can definitely understand why this would be the best lineup.
Boston Celtics
Lineup: A. Bradley, J. Crowder, A. Horford, K. Olynyk, I. Thomas
ORTG: 124.8 DRTG: 101.9
Surprisingly, the lineup with the lowest DRTG, even if it is only 52 minutes played has Isaiah Thomas in it. Having the tandem of Bradley/Horford/Crowder in there though is no surprise because all three are excellent defenders, especially Avery.
The offensive rating really surprises me though with Olynk in there. I assume it is because his ability to stretch the floor.