It’s Never Been Easier to Score 50 Points in the NBA

Expansion from 23 to 30 teams since the mid-1980s means more games. 3-pointers have helped offensive efficiency reach all-time highs. Most 50-point games this century barely reach 50 points. Last season, 13 different players scored 50 in a game at least once. The majority of All-NBA honorees are guards and forwards. Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and Draymond Green are among them. . .. For the last five seasons, the highest-scoring game of the NBA season was Chris Chris' 41 points, while the few who haven't were Draysh Green (31).

It's easier to score 50 points in the NBA than before. Big men don't get in on the high-scoring action. Only four active bigs have ever scored 50 in a game: Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, LaMarcus Aldridge and Karl-Anthony Towns.

David Robinson scored 71 points against the Clippers on April 24, 1994. Shaquille O'Neal scored 61 points on March 6, 2000. This season, 13 of 14 scoring performances above 40 points have gone to ball handlers. The sport is more oriented around guards. Towns ranks fifth in 3-point makes per game this season and ninth in attempts. The chances of watching a high-output outburst from a single player are higher than ever before. Harden might generate a dozen games by himself this year. Lillard, Irving, and Russell have already reached 50 points.

It's Never Been Easier to Score 50 Points in the NBA. David Robinson scored 71 points against the Clippers on April 24, 1994. Shaquille O'Neal scored 61 points on March 6, 2000.