April 24, 201214 yr Scoring Race Goes Down To The Wire « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog [TABLE=width: 500] [TR] [TD][TABLE=width: 330] [TR=bgcolor: #8C4211] [TD]Player[/TD] [TD=align: right]G[/TD] [TD=align: right]PTS[/TD] [TD=align: right]PPG[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Kevin Durant[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]1,786[/TD] [TD=align: right]27.91[/TD] [/TR] [TR=bgcolor: #e5e5e5] [TD]Kobe Bryant[/TD] [TD=align: right]58[/TD] [TD=align: right]1,616[/TD] [TD=align: right]27.86[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]LeBron James[/TD] [TD=align: right]62[/TD] [TD=align: right]1,683[/TD] [TD=align: right]27.1[/TD] [/TR] [TR=bgcolor: #e5e5e5] [TD]Kevin Love[/TD] [TD=align: right]55[/TD] [TD=align: right]1,432[/TD] [TD=align: right]26.0[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Russell Westbrook[/TD] [TD=align: right]64[/TD] [TD=align: right]1,515[/TD] [TD=align: right]23.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] The team that could really help determine this year’s champ is the Sacramento Kings. Durant and the Thunder host the Kings on Tuesday, and Bryant and the Lakers will visit Sacramento on Thursday. The Kings have been the third-worst defensive team in the league. They allowed Bryant to score 38 points on March 2. Bryant has scored 67 points in two games (33.5 ppg) against the Kings thus far, while Durant has scored 85 points against the Kings in three games (28.3 ppg). On Thursday, Durant and the Thunder will face the Nuggets, the team he scored a career-high 51 points against on Feb. 19 (in an overtime game). So as far as opponents go, it appears he has the edge over Bryant in these final days. One other advantage is that Durant has been a much more efficient scorer. He has scored 1.42 points per field goal attempt, while Bryant has scored just 1.21 points per field goal attempt. Durant has shot better from both inside the arc and beyond it. And he’s been able to get to the free-throw line more often. Over/Under on the amount of Bryant shots on Thursday? I'll set it at 28.5.
April 24, 201214 yr I'm take the over. He'll know the exact amount he needs to score to win the title also so I say he'll win the scoring title also.
April 25, 201214 yr Author Now the Lakers don't need to win to lock in the #3 spot so it adds a little twist. I still think Kobe comes out gunning or if KD has a bad game tonight Kobe might even sit out.
April 26, 201214 yr Kobe needs 38 tomorrow. ^ That's a wrap. I hope. Going to be tough to get around 40 in a meaningless game. If he plays Kobe minutes then he could obviuously do it but I look for him to get some rest in this one.
April 26, 201214 yr When would the Lakers play their first playoff game? Does anyone know? They have been off for 3 days which is the equivalent of a week during this lockout season. I think Brown should lead Kobe's ego loose tonight if for no other reason to get him back in the swing of things from missing time. That would be impressive to capture a scoring title in his 16th season. Also, does anyone know how the playoffs will work? Will they be more on a normal schedule or accelerated like the regular season?
April 26, 201214 yr How important is a scoring title to Kobe? He may say he does not care, but the guy hates to finish second in anything. Durant was saying this the other day and I believe him. A lot of this year has been to prove to people he still could play. I could see him coming out firing. If he is on at the start he will go for it. Otherwise he may play about a half.
April 26, 201214 yr Author When would the Lakers play their first playoff game? Does anyone know? They have been off for 3 days which is the equivalent of a week during this lockout season. I think Brown should lead Kobe's ego loose tonight if for no other reason to get him back in the swing of things from missing time. That would be impressive to capture a scoring title in his 16th season. Also, does anyone know how the playoffs will work? Will they be more on a normal schedule or accelerated like the regular season? Probably Sunday. Playoffs will be normal schedule so players will have plenty of rest. I think it will help a lot with the quality of games.
April 26, 201214 yr Author He may say he does not care, but the guy hates to finish second in anything. Durant was saying this the other day and I believe him. A lot of this year has been to prove to people he still could play. I could see him coming out firing. If he is on at the start he will go for it. Otherwise he may play about a half. I think he will play the entire game like he normally does. Kobe isn't the type of guy to go at something halfheartedly. He takes everything very seriously, even All-Star games. He will be going for the record tonight no doubt in my mind. KD was going for it last night in a meaningless game I see no reason why Kobe shouldn't. Remember when Robinson got like 60 or something crazy to win the title one year? He has missed a good number of games so I think he needs this time on the court to to get back into a rhythm. Like you stated, he said he doesn't care but winning it at his age and in his 16th season would be a pretty nice accomplishment.
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