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Taking care of the ball is a key aspect in the NBA, as limiting turnovers reduce the opposition's chances of scoring. In that regard, the likes of LeBron James and Damian Lillard have been outstanding in taking good care of the ball while registering 30+point outings.
Scoring 30 points in any NBA game is no easy endeavor, which is why doing so while expertly protecting the ball is worthy of note. Of the 20 to have done so, only five players are still active.
Playing without turnovers is one of the most visible factors when analyzing player efficiency. Apart from the ability to score and make assists, players who make the most of every touch they have give their teams the best chance of winning in the NBA.
Orchestrating the offense while taking elite care of the basketball is easier said than done. On that note, here's a look at five NBA players who have the most 30-point games with 0 turnovers.
#4 Carmelo Anthony - 22
Carmelo Anthony is the only active NBA player to make the top five. He has 22 30-point games with zero turnovers during his 18-year NBA career.
Of his 22 30+ point games with zero turnovers, one worth making a note of is his historic 62-point outing against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 24, 2014. Anthony did everything right in that game, as he shot 65% from the field, 100% from the free-throw line and recorded only one personal foul.
Anthony undoubtedly handled the ball often in his 39 minutes on the court that day. However, he successfully took care of the ball and remained effective. While he is one of the premier scorers in the league, he also does a good job of not overcomplicating plays, utilizing every possession.
#3 Jeff Malone - 23
Jeff Malone was selected by the Washington Bullets in the 1983 NBA Draft but played for three other franchises in his 15-year NBA career.
Guards are prone to turn the ball over more times in a game, as they handle the ball a lot. However, Malone successfully controlled the ball while scoring at a high rate.
The 6' 4" guard recorded 23 30-point games between 1985 and 1993. Although he played for three more years, he failed to add to that tally before retiring.
#2 Dominique Wilkins - 27
Dominique Wilkins, for some reason, does not get as much praise as he deserves for his performances in the NBA. He was undoubtedly an elite scorer during his time in the league.
Wilkins, who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA draft, was not interested to play for them. He was subsequently traded to the Atlanta Hawks a few months later, where he spent 12 years of his career.
In 1986, he won the NBA scoring champion award, which is a testament to his scoring prowess. Moreover, he did an impeccable job protecting the ball.
Wilkins had 27 30-point games with zero turnovers in his 17-year NBA career. He was a very athletic player and had fun attacking the rim. Although he was not a guard, he had impressive handling prowess, which he showed during his playing days.
#T1 Dirk Nowitzki - 36
Dirk Nowitzki is well known for his exploits against the 2011 Miami Heat to help his team win the NBA championship. Aside from the fact that he was an efficient scorer, he also did a good job protecting the ball.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected Nowitzki in the 1998 NBA Draft but traded him to the Dallas Mavericks soon thereafter. He played for the Mavericks throughout his 21-year career, winning the NBA championship once despite coming close on several other occasions.
Nowitzki has several awards in the NBA, perhaps the most surprising being his one for the three-point contest in 2006. Although he was a big man, he had a gentle shooting stroke and made the fadeaway jumper very popular.
With Nowitzki having several ways to score, it was difficult to get the ball out of his hands. He recorded 36 30-point games in his NBA career.
#T1 Michael Jordan - 36
Finding the great Michael Jordan at the top of this list should come as no surprise. The Hall of Famer was known for his laser-like focus and ability to single-handedly carry his team.
Jordan is tied with Nowitzki for the most 30-point games with zero turnovers. However, it is safe to assume that he would have had many more if he had not retired early.
It is intriguing to know that the player who handled the ball the most for the Chicago Bulls did it better than anybody else in NBA history.
Guess the Lakers players!
