The NBA regular season is over a quarter of the way through, and the Celtics presently lead the league with a 15-4 record.

Nonetheless, some fans are frustrated by the team’s inconsistency and proclivity to allow inferior opponents to linger around.

Here are five statistics to help put the start of the year into context.

In games decided by 10 points or less, they are 9-3

It hasn’t always been nice, but the Celtics have always found a way to win in crunch time.

In tense situations, this club has a penchant for doing just enough to win. Friday’s 125-19 win against the 76ers is a great example, as the Celtics let the 76ers stay around before putting the finishing touches on the game.

But it hasn’t always worked out. A 121-118 loss against the Hornets stands out as a game they should have won.

Think again if you expect the Celtics to stroll every night; the NBA is perhaps more competitive than ever, so it’s unlikely they’ll start frequently blowing out teams by 20 points or more.

They’ve attempted 42.8 3-pointers per game, which is a league high

If it appears that the Celtics are shooting a lot of three-pointers, that’s because they are. Boston is presently averaging 42.8 shots from distance per game, the most in the NBA.

They are second in 3-point attempts per game (15.6) and fifteenth in percentage (36.5).

Last season, Boston tried 42.6 three-pointers a game (second), made 16 (second), and shot 37.7 percent (sixth). It’s evident that coach Joe Mazzulla has a target in mind, and the Celtics are carrying it out at a reasonable, but not spectacular, level.

The next stage is to raise the proportion somewhat. Sam Hauser (43.7%) and Derrick White (40.7%) can’t accomplish it on their own. Grant Williams, where are you when you need him?

With 47.1 rebounds per game, they are second in the NBA

With their collective rebounding to open the season, the Celtics have answered any doubts about their lack of depth at center.

With 47.1 boards per game, Boston ranks second in the league, trailing only Brooklyn. The Celtics lead the league with 36.7 defensive rebounds, indicating that they are not conceding second-chance points.

Kristaps Porzingis obviously helps, but it’s been a collaborative effort. Jayson Tatum leads the club in scoring with 8.7 points per game, and guard Jrue Holiday is second with 7.2 points per game.

Porzingis (6.7), Al Horford (6.6), Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White all have a positive impact.

They are 22nd in terms of pace, with 98.66

The Celtics aren’t playing at a fast tempo this season, according to the statistics.

Part of this is by design, but they may benefit from Tommy Heinsohn’s mantra of “run, run, run,” and then run some more.

Boston ranks 16th in fast-break points per game (13.7) and 20th in points off turnovers (16.1). This relates back to the 12 tight games statistic, since they tend to make things more difficult for themselves than they should.

They may be able to pull away from some of their inferior opponents if they can wreak more havoc defensively, go out in transition, and play with greater urgency in the half-court.

Jayson Tatum is the only player in the league that averages 27 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game while shooting 49/36/80

Tatum now ranks 10th in the NBA in scoring. Only four of those ten players (Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic) average 8.5 rebounds per game. Tatum is the only one of those four to shoot 36% from distance.

He’s honed the extremely specialized skill of doing work both inside and outside while also involving his teammates.

Tatum is presently ranked fourth in MVP odds, after only Jokic, Embiid, and Luka Doncic.