Top Stat Lines Of NBA Week 7

Let's talk numbers, shall we? And put figures to facts, or the other way round.

Stats enthusiast or no, this piece will keep you informed about some of the best performances seen in the league each week. Interesting data points are mentioned as well, not just single game stats. Facts ~~and~~ with figures.

Find out if the player you think will be MVP is stuffing the stat sheet like he should.

Box score figures mentioned here will be chosen based on points, rebounds, etc. as well as home/away, opposition, history, among others. Performances here are not sorted by ranking, simply written about so they receive deserved appreciation. The readers are requested to rank them at their own discretion.

My readers are welcome to let me know of any performances they think were deserving of a mention here. I would gladly welcome such debate and discussions in the comments section.

Take that for data!

Most Improved Player Candidate Aaron Gordon scores 40

Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic dropped 40 points on the Oklahoma City Thunder to lead his team to a 121-108 win on Wednesday. His stat line:

40 pts, 15 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls, 1 blks, 13-23 FG, 6-12 3P FG, 1 TO, 17 +/-

Gordon is in contention for the MIP award this season. He's averaging 19 pts, 8.3 rebs this season, up from last season's averages of 12.7 pts, 5.1 rebs. The 22-year-old is shooting 50.2% from the field and 42.6% from the distance, both career-high figures.

He is proving to the NBA world he is more than "just a dunker".

Bigs Aldridge, Adams and Drummond impress with big games

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks — LaMarcus Aldridge

Spurs roll over Grizzlies behind center's 41-point effort

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 41 points as he led San Antonio to a 95-104 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. His box score line:

41 pts, 6 reb, 17-24 FG, 3-3 3P FG, 4-4 FT, 1 TO, 16 +/-

In Kawhi Leonard's absence, Aldridge has been the focus of the Spurs offense. The 11-year veteran is averaging 23 points on 51.6% shooting (career-high) through 22 games.

Steven Adams goes perfect from the field on career night

The OKC Thunder center put up 27 points (career-high) to help his team to a 107-111 win over the Timberwolves on Friday. His stat line:

27 pts, 6 reb, 11-11 FG, 5-5 FT, 1 TO, 18 +/-

The Thunder are struggling with a 9-12 record, and performances like these by the New Zealand native will help them right the ship.

Andre Drummond records monster double-double to lead Pistons over Celtics

In a matchup between the first and second seeds of the East (Pistons 4th now) on Monday, Drummond came up big to hand the Celtics only their 4th loss of the season. The Pistons won 118-108 on the road. He stuffed the stat sheet:

26 pts, 22 rebs, 6 asts, 4 stls, 10-12 FG, 6-8 FT, 3 TO, 13 +/-

The 24-year old is averaging career-high 15 rebounds per game to lead the league in that category through 22 games.

Kyrie Irving torches 76ers for 36 points

Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics — Kyrie Irving

In one of the most anticipated matches of the week, the league-leading Celtics hosted the talented Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Celtics beat the Sixers 97-108. In an important match, Irving had an outstanding night:

36 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 12-21 FG, 5-8 FG, 7-8 FT

Kyrie is averaging 23.2 points on 48.4 shooting (career-high) through 23 games to lead the Celtics in scoring. In the absence of Gordon Hayward, he has stepped up his game and so have his teammates to help Celtics to a league-best 20-4 record. Night after night, Irving seems to be justifying his decision to move out of LeBron James' shadow and carve his own niche with the Celtics.

Donovan Mitchell, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram have career nights

Utah Jazz v Minnesota Timberwolves — Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell

Rookie Donovan Mitchell scores 41 points; 1st rookie with 40+ since Blake Griffin

The Utah Jazz shooting guard made a statement with a 41-point night against the Pelicans on Friday. Mitchell scored a game-high 41 to lead the Jazz to a 108-114 W at home. His stat line:

41 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 13-25 FG, 6-12 3P FG, 9-11 FT, 11 +/-

The rookie sighed a heave of relief when he drained the free throw that gave him 40, and couldn't help but smile as he hit the free throw to give him 41.

13th pick Mitchell is third among rookies in scoring with 16.4 points, behind Ben Simmons and Kyle Kuzma. Way to go, young fella!

Ben Simmons with career highs in points and boards, attempts 29 free throws

The Wizards sent Simmons to the line a total of 29 times and 24 times alone in the 4th quarter, an NBA record for FTA in a quarter. He led his team to a 113-118 win at home with these numbers:

31 pts, 18 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk, 8-16 FG, 15-29 FT, 11 +/-

His points and rebounds totals were career-highs. Simmons is leading all rookies in points, rebounds and assists. He needs to work on his shooting, especially free throws to avoid the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy being used against him in the future.

Brandon Ingram takes Warriors to OT; scores 32

The small forward had a great showing Wednesday night to stretch the game to overtime, where the Warriors pulled away to seal the 127-123 win in LA. His box score line read:

32 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk, 12-21 FG, 2-2 3P FG, 6-7 FT

Ingram missed the game-winning shot in regulation, and then closed the gap in overtime after the Warriors took the lead behind Steph Curry's 13 overtime points. Down three with 16 seconds left and the ball in Durant's hands, Ingram got the steal, drove to the basket, missing the and-1 opportunity when Durant fouled him in the act of shooting. He made both free throws to bring the gap down to one. However, the Warriors held on to the lead. Ingram drew praise from Kevin Durant after the game for his performance.

Lou Williams drops 42 points against the Lakers in LA showdown

Philadelphia 76ers v Los Angeles Clippers — Lou Williams

Facing his former team, the LA Clippers guard went bonkers, carrying the banged-up Clips to a 115-120 win. His box score line was impressive:

42 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 12-21 FG, 4-8 3P FG, 14-14 FT, 23 +/-

The Clippers also lost Blake Griffin in this game for up to two months due to a knee injury. Lou Williams will have a bigger role to play for some time now. The Clippers are in bad shape with Milos Teodosic and Danilo Gallinari out for a while and Patrick Beverley out for the season. Williams is averaging a career-high in points per game with 18.7 through 21 games. Not bad at all.

Klay Thompson aiming for the 50/40/90 club

Golden State Warriors v Minnesota Timberwolves — Klay Thompson

The Warriors 2-guard is shooting at this rate through 23 games. For those unaware of what 50/40/90 shooting means, here is the explanation.

The three numbers mentioned are a player's shooting percentages from the field/3 pointers/free throws while making a minimum number of conversions in each category. To be able to average 50/40/90 for an entire season is an indication of a player's unmatched efficiency. Only 7 players have shot the ball with such efficiency for an entire season.

They are Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Reggie Miller, Mark Price, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Larry Bird. Nash and Bird have multiple seasons of averaging 50/40/90 to their name with four and two respectively. If Klay Thompson were to continue shooting like this, he will be joining some prestigious company.

His teammates Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are also on the list. The Warriors shooting depth is beyond a doubt the best in the league.

Steph Curry climbing all time '3 pointers made' list at astonishing pace

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers — Stephen Curry

He passed Jason Kidd for 8th on the NBA's all-time 3-point FG made list. He now has 1,990 made three-pointers, after Friday's win over the Magic. We all know Curry is one of the greatest shooters of all time.

Here's why:

The number of games Curry has played to get to 8th on the list stands out more than anything else. Just 594 games! He is on pace to easily break Ray Allen's all time record and post a mark which will not be challenged any time soon.

Devin Booker has nine 30+ points games this season

Phoenix Suns v Boston Celtics — Devin Booker

He's been on a tear this season, having scored nine games with 30+ points, the latest coming in a loss to the Celtics. His stat line for that game:

38 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 16-29 FG, 3-8 3P FG, 3-3 FT

He's a budding star who is living up to his potential. Last season, he scored 72 points in a game! In his third season, he is averaging career highs across the board. Through 23 games, he is averaging 23.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 4 ast on 45.4% FG% and 37.6% 3P FG%.

However, his team is struggling mightily, more so with the firing of coach Earl Watson and then Eric Bledsoe departing. The Suns need to provide Booker with solid players to back him up. They don't want their star player to bolt when he gets the chance.

Their defensive rating is the worst in the league. Take a look at the Suns' defense on one particular play against the Celtics:

No words required.

Players of the Month

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns — James Harden

LeBron James and James Harden named NBA Players of the Month for the Eastern and Western Conference, respectively

The two have been spectacular this season, with both putting up MVP worthy numbers.

The Cavs are on an 11 game win streak and are in second place in the East after a very shaky 5-7 start. Their current win-loss is 16-7. James has carried the team through the first month, leading the league in minutes logged. In his 15th year, he might just be playing the best basketball of his career.

The Rockets are sitting at the top of the West with an 18-4 record and have won the last 7 games since Chris Paul returned from injury. They are second in offensive rating and fifth in defensive rating in the league. This time Harden seems to be poised to win the MVP award and his partnership with Paul has worked beautifully in the few games they have played together. Harden is leading the league in points per game at 31.7. He and Paul are leading the league in assists, with 9.7 and 9.8 respectively. The numbers mentioned in the embed are for the month of November.