NBA Players Scoring Rate Is The Highest It’s Been In Almost 50 Years

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Oct 24, 2018

Through the first week of the NBA season, players are scoring at the highest rate in almost a half-century.

October 16, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

We're only a week through the 2018-19 NBA season, but the league has already seen its highest scoring pace in 49 years, according to The Associated Press.

Clubs are averaging 113.4 points per game so far, per The AP. Yes, it's only eight days into the season, and the offensive explosions are bound to slow down a bit. But it's the highest rate in nearly a full half-century, and the fans and players have to be loving every bit of it.

Per The AP, teams are taking an average of 91 field-goal shots per game, and the NBA is on "pace to set records for 3-pointers made and attempted for the seventh straight year."

According to ESPN.com stats, five teams are averaging over 120 points per game: The New Orleans Pelicans (leading the way with 132 per contest), Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs.

The Golden State Warriors were the highest-scoring team last season with 113.5 points per game. So far, 14 teams in 2018-19 are averaging more points per game than that. Only six teams averaged 110-plus points per game last season. 21 teams are doing so through the first eight days of this season.

Numerous players have gotten off to electrifying starts this season. Detroit Pistons' All-Star Blake Griffin scored 50 points in Tuesday's 133-132 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He had 33 points in their Saturday contest against the Chicago Bulls.

Five players in 2018-19 are averaging at least 30 points per game, and that includes long-time underrated Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker. His 33 points per game place him second in the NBA, behind Griffin's 36.3.

19 players so far this season are averaging 25-plus points per game; only seven players did so last season. Simply put, the top superstars are off to incredible starts and haven't taken their feet off the gas pedal.

Eventually, the scoring will ease down a bit. But for the fans and players in general, seeing a ridiculous amount of points through the first week has been highly entertaining. You'll only get complaints from the coaches, who must find a way to slow down all this scoring.

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