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This year has given basketball fans a lot of memories and some of the greatest NBA stars produced some terrific performances and lit the stadiums. The mainstays of their respective teams went on to entertain the fans all over the world with their craft.
With one more calendar year of NBA action almost done and dusted, now is a good time to give away some NBA awards. Throughout the course of this article, let us take a look at the top five individual performances that stood out in this calendar year 2018.
#5 LeBron James, November 18, 2018
Stat line: 51 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block on 61.3 % shooting
Everyone expected LeBron James to have a spectacular game in his return to Miami for the first time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. To no one's surprise, LeBron went off for 51 points to blowout the Miami Heat.
In the first quarter, James dropped 19 points and the fans knew they were in for a treat. With the King scoring 28 points in the first half, the Lakers took a huge 15 point lead at halftime. Even though the second half was more competitive compared to the first half, the Heat could not stop LeBron as he tallied another 23 points in the second half to score a total of 51 points that night.
He finished the game with 51 points on 19-for-31 shooting, including ridiculous 6-for-8 shooting from long range. James also had 8 rebounds and 3 assists and re-iterated the fact that age is just a number for him and that he is still the man that runs the show in the NBA.
#4 Anthony Davis, January 16, 2018
Stat line: 45 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks on 47.1 % shooting
The New Orleans Pelicans entered TD Garden on a two-game win streak and were looking to extend it to three games. Anthony Davis poured in 45 points in this overtime thriller to lead the Pelicans past the Celtics on the road.
The Celtics' defenders had no answer for Davis as he bullied his way to the basket and posed serious threat in the paint. He was very dominant and drew a lot of fouls. Thanks to Davis' strength and height, he attempted game-high 15 free-throws and connected on 13 of them.
With 20 seconds remaining in the regulation, Davis made one of his two free throws to give the Pelicans a two-point lead. However, Kyrie Irving answered back with a layup to send the game into overtime. In the overtime, Cousins, Holiday and Davis all had 4 points each and the Pelicans walked away with 116-113 win.
#3 James Harden, December 13, 2018
Stat line: 50 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 2 steals on 53.8 % shooting
The Houston Rockets got off to a rough start (11-14) during the 2018-19 NBA season. After scoring 29 points in the victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, Harden was once again the center of attraction as he posted a 50-point triple double against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers to lead the Rockets to their second straight win.
Harden had 19 points in the first half and the Rockets walked into the halftime with a 6-point lead. In the second half, it was the defending MVP's show as he exploded for 17 points in the final quarter and helped the Rockets get the 126-111 win.
Even though Kyle Kuzma and LeBron James combined for 53 points for the Lakers, Harden was just too good that night and posted triple-double with 50 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
#2 Stephen Curry, January 27, 2018
Stat line: 49 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals on 66.7 % shooting
After shooting down the Minnesota Timberwolves two nights before, Stephen Curry was once again in his elements as he dropped 49 points at home to help the Warriors beat the Celtics. Curry, who started the game in his own fashion, scored 14 points in the first quarter but the Celtics jumped up to a 37-27 first quarter lead on the back of 14 points from Jaylen Brown.
Boston went into haltime with 54-50 lead over Golden State but Curry, just like always, came out all guns blazing in the third quarter and exploded for 18 points before following it up with 15 points in the fourth quarter.
This was a well-fought game and the Warriors eventually won, thanks to Curry's eight clutch free-throws towards the end, in the final one minute. He finished the night with 49 points on 16-for-24 shooting from the floor and brought out his best against one of the top defensive teams in the league.
#1 Kevin Durant, Game 3, NBA Finals 2018
Stat line: 43 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and a block on 65.2 % shooting
After defending the home court successfully in the first two games, the Golden State Warriors entered Quicken Loans Arena for the Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals looking to sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Durant, who had 26 points each in Game 1 and Game 2, exploded for 43 points on breath-taking 15-for-23 shooting, including red-hot 6-for-9 from behind the arc to lift the Warriors over the Cavaliers.
He started the game hot and dropped 13 points in the first quarter before following it up with 11 points in the second quarter but the Cavaliers took a 58-52 lead at halftime. Durant then scored 10 points in the third quarter to help the Warriors clinch the quarter, 31-23.
Stephen Curry struggled to make an impact on the game as he scored only 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting, including 1-for-10 from long range. It is incredible that the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers when Curry was the second high-scorer for the Warriors with just 11 points.
The Warriors definitely need to thank Durant for this achievement and this game was the dagger as the Warriors went 3-0 up in the finals. They would go on to win the series in four games.
