Take care of the ball.
Regardless of the sport, that's usually a key ingredient in the recipe for success. In baseball, that means limiting fielding errors that give teams extra outs. In football, that means no fumbles or interceptions. In hockey and soccer, it means avoiding risky passes or dribbling that might get picked off.
In any sport, winning the turnover battle typically translates to winning the game. That's true in basketball, too, where taking care of the rock is essential.
Just look at the Boston Celtics. This season, they've committed nearly 100 fewer live-ball turnovers than any other NBA team, per Sportico's Lev Akabas. Not surprisingly, they have the fourth-best record in the league at 43-21.
The Boston Celtics have committed nearly 100 fewer live ball turnovers than any other NBA team this season
The Portland Trail Blazers on the other hand... pic.twitter.com/ZGgeWI7MbV
— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) March 10, 2026
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers rank last in this category by a lot. They have over 700 live-ball turnovers, nearly twice as many as the Celtics.
Unsurprisingly, the Trail Blazers have a losing record at 31-34.
Taking care of the basketball has been a staple of the Joe Mazzulla era. Since his first season as Boston's head coach, the Celtics have ranked seventh, first, second and first in fewest turnovers committed.
Sure enough, they also have the NBA's best record during that time.
There are other reasons for their success, of course, such as their elite defense and 3-point shooting. Turnovers aren't everything, but they matter a lot and can make a big difference, especially in close games.
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