Behind the numbers: What happens when Kevin Durant scores more than 30 points?
Published: 1/30/2013 9:54 AM
Last Modified: 1/30/2013 9:57 AM
Kevin Durant has torched the Dallas Mavericks many times in his career, including a 52-point performance Jan. 18 and a 40-point barrage Dec. 27.
Durant’s most prolific performance of the season, so far, was a 52-point domination of the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 18. He’s scored 33 points four different times and 41 points two times.
Where does this rank with other players in the NBA this season? LeBron James has scored 30-plus points 14 times, Kobe Bryant has done it 21 times and Carmelo Anthony has reached the mark 15 times. Russell Westbook, Durant’s teammate, has done it 10 times for the Thunder.
There are some other interesting numbers to examine when Durant scores more than 30 points and what that means for the Thunder. Oklahoma City is 15-6 when KD scores more than 30 points, but 7-1 when he scores 37 points or more. Durant has reached the 30-point mark 13 different times on the road, including four 40-plus performances away from Oklahoma City.
This level of performance isn’t really anything new for Durant. KD scored 30 points or more 25 times in 66 games during the 2011-12 season, 29 times in 78 games during the 2010-11 season, 47 times in 82 games during the 2009-10 season, 21 times in 74 games during the 2008-09 season and 7 times in 80 games during the 2007-08 season.
Here’s a look at all 30-plus point performances from Durant this season, from highest to lowest totals.
Jan. 18 at Dallas: 52 points (13-of-31 from the field)
Jan. 11 at L.A. Lakers: 42 points (16-of-25 from the field)
Dec. 19 at Atlanta: 41 points (14-of-23 from the field)
Jan. 14 at Phoenix: 41 points (15-of-30 from the field)
Dec. 27 vs. Dallas: 40 points (13-of-28 from the field)
Nov. 24 at Philadelphia: 37 points (10-of-22 from the field)
Nov. 28 vs. Houston: 37 points (13-of-22 from the field)
Jan. 20 at Denver: 37 points (7-of-20 from the field)
Dec. 7 vs. L.A. Lakers: 36 points (10-of-19 from the field)
Nov. 21 vs. L.A. Clippers: 35 points (7-of-19 from the field)
Dec. 12 vs. New Orleans: 35 points (11-of-20 from the field)
Jan. 27 at L.A. Lakers: 35 points (10-of-26 from the field)
Nov. 14 vs. Memphis: 34 points (12-of-21 from the field)
Dec. 20 at Minnesota: 33 points (12-of-21 from the field)
Dec. 25 at Miami: 33 points (11-of-21 from the field)
Jan. 13 at Portland: 33 points (12-of-21 from the field)
Jan. 23 at Golden State: 33 points (10-of-17 from the field)
Dec. 4 at Brooklyn: 32 points (9-of-16 from the field)
Jan. 22 at L.A. Clippers: 32 points (12-of-19 from the field)
Dec. 14 vs. Sacramento: 31 points (10-of-14 from the field)
Dec. 31 vs. Phoenix: 30 points (11-of-24 from the field)
Written by
Matt Clayton
Staff Writer
