The race for the scoring title

[INKtastic]

LeBron has a chance to win his second scoring title this year in a race that's close with Durant. After having played the same number of games, LeBron has scored 15 more points than Durant.

He also has a chance to average 30ppg for the 3rd time in his career. He's currently just 13 points short of averaging 30ppg for the season.

The cavs have 8 games left in the season, but likely clinch home court throughout the playoffs before the season is over since they are 3 games up plus the tiebreaker vs the lakers for best overall record. So it seems likely LeBron sits the last game or two.

If he only plays 6 of the last 8 games, he needs to average 32.2 ppg to get to 30 ppg, which may be enough to nearly lock up the scoring title. The thunder have 10 more games left and to get to 30ppg, Durant would have to play all 10 games and average 32.8 ppg. The necessary average goes up if he plays fewer games.

What helps LeBron's chances is currently Durant and the thunder have to be more concerned about maintaining a reasonable playoff seed (they have nearly fallen to the 8th seed) than about a scoring title. Also, 7 of their last 10 games are against teams above .500. But what hurts his chances is Durant likely goes into the last couple of games in of the season knowing exactly how many points he needs to score to win the scoring title.

I mentioned the 30 ppg mark for a couple of reasons. One is if he hits 30ppg for what would be the 3rd time in his career, he would become the first SF in league history to average 30ppg for 3 seasons. The second is that by getting to 30ppg, he may put the scoring title nearly out of reach heading into the last couple of games of the season unless Durant has a huge game between now and then.

[Rise Against]

I'm surprised LeBron would be the first SF ever to average 30+ PPG for 3 seasons. Nevertheless, the scoring title doesn't matter much. The individual accolades will come for LeBron, but the championship is what's on everyone's minds right now.

[INKtastic]

sure, the championship is the goal, this is just something to follow while waiting for the playoffs to start.

[Benedict_Boozer]

I think he will get it. He scores so easily Lebron doesn't even have to put up much effort to get 30 in a game. And this year, he is torching everyone including the elite defenses with ease.

Having so many scoring threats around him now only makes it easier for him as well to get in the lane.

[TheOUTLAW]

Unfortunately I think having multiple other scoring options is making LeBron and Mo too passive. I want these guys looking to score 100% of the time.

[and1GS]

Once the playoffs come I think LeBron and Mo will retain their tenacity from previous seasons. Not a bad thing to rely on your teammates during the regular season, just turn it on come playoff time (something LeBron has proven he can do very well).

[delonte]

Anyone know the update to the scoring title race now, after the boston game?

and what does he need to get 30.0 ppg?

[Benedict_Boozer]

Well Durant just dropped 40 on Minn....I'm starting to think he wants that scoring title after all.

If he is gunning for it like that Lebron won't win it. No reason to play Lebron big mins with HCA locked up.

[joyner82]

Durant 2258 points on 1530 FGA through 76 games or 29.72 ppg on 20.1 FGA

LeBron 2239 points on 1515 FGA through 75 games or 29.85 ppg on 20.2 FGA


Games remaining-averages for the season
Durant
@ Utah 31.3 ppg
Denver 27 ppg
Phoenix 37 ppg
@ Golden State 35 ppg
@ Portland 26 ppg
Memphis 31 ppg

Projected 29.821 ppg

LeBron
Toronto 29 ppg
@ Chicago 25.7 ppg
Indiana 31.3 ppg
Orlando 30.3 ppg
@ Atlanta 29.7 ppg

Projected 29.8125 ppg

The difference here is 1 total point. Not ppg, but 1 single point. This is going to be ridiculously close.


Also Durant isn't gunning for it. He dropped 40 on only 22 shots and had 20 in the 1st quarter.