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FEATURE – LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 6: LeBron James, No. 23 Los Angeles Lakers, reacts after defeating Michael Jordan on the NBA scorer list against Denver Nuggets on March 6, 2019 at the Los STAPLES Center Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE via Getty Images)
By Khari Arnold, NBA.com
It's almost September. This means that we will have our first NBA action next month with a preparatory list starting on the 30th. The training camps will open, media days will be organized and before we know it, we will inform you of the season. 2019-20 on October 22nd.
One has the impression that the night of opening is at hand, right?
Not enough. We are still in August.
So, as the NBA slump continues, we are back to the top 10 markers of the fourth quarter – a time for which every player is not built – during the 2018-19 season.
To be clear, this is not an opinion piece. This is a factual list – thanks to our vast statistics site – with additional context. The ranking includes the players with the most points on average in the fourth quarter (minimum 41 games played, half of the NBA season).
1. LeBron James, 8.6 points
Being a dominant striker during a match – an average of 27.4 points – in season 16 is one thing. Maintaining this pace throughout the game's most important setting is another. LeBron has always been a consistent force in the fourth quarter, placing in the top 10 points per game in each of the past seven seasons. His figures at the end of the game should alone dispel the belief that he is slowed down or coming out of a mediocre campaign (for him).
2. James Harden, 8.3 points
Harden's historic season, which he called "best for the books," was a career record in the fourth quarter. Harden unleashes all the skills of his distinctive arsenal at the end of the games, with his best performance in the fourth quarter last season against the eventual champions of 2019. Kia's most valuable player in 2018 also led the NBA on scoring points during the clutch time, the last five minutes (and extra minutes) of games in the five points.
3. Kemba Walker, 8.0 points
Walker was the first player in the NBA to nod his career last season, and his late-game performances helped him reach that goal. He pulled 41.7% of the perimeter during the last period – a 6.1% increase over the season average beyond the arc. Between Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving and Walker, members of Boston's carousel of leaders always have one thing in common: their propensity to deliver late.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 7.7 points
Much to Kemba's consternation, Kia's most valuable player also coached his team late in the games, including in the fourth quarter of a Jan. 26 outing during which he dominated the game. of the Hornets formation. Giannis showed a steady improvement at the end of the period, increasing her 5.5 point average in 2016-17 to 6.8 points in 2017-18 and now 7.7 points in 2018-19.
5. Lou Williams, 7.6 points
The sixth man in cold blood, who finished at the top of this list in 2017-2018, knows when to present a show. It's something in the last 12 minutes that seems to increase Williams' ability to spray defenses. The fourth quarter was its best score last season, and by a considerable margin (3.2 points per game in the first quarter, 5.1 points per second, 4.3 per third). Thanks to Williams' immense contribution, the LA Clippers have accumulated the most points in the fourth quarter per game (28.8) since the Denver Nuggets in the 1990-91 season (30.2), by Elias Sports Office.
6. Paul George, 7.1 points
The Clippers have added a new upper class closer to its rotation this summer. Fifth overall in fourth quarter points last season, George used defense and scored at will when it mattered most. His timely baskets – just one element of his MVP caliber season – were marked with remarkable splits of 43.5 / 40.0 / 88.7. And for what it's worth: the Clippers also added their top scorer in the fourth quarter in last season's playoff race. The last 12 minutes could seem like hours for Los Angeles opponents.
T-7. Devin Booker, 6.8 points
Booker, 22, is undoubtedly as fearless as he comes, and although he is practically the only real scorer of his team, many young players avoid these moments. Or simply can not deliver. The Suns sniper has averaged at least six points in the fourth quarter over the last three seasons, well above average. Maybe the teams will throw him more doubles teams at the end of the match in 2019-20?
T-7. Anthony Davis, 6.8 points
Davis's dramatic season has certainly overshadowed one of his productions on the court. It only played in 42 fourth quarters, but averaged 6.8 points for those periods for the second consecutive season. The All-Star six times simply knows how to create himself paces in the far right. Join late in the game to LeBron's closing abilities, and the Lakers will have some essential qualities to win tight games in the West.
T-7. Donovan Mitchell, 6.8 points
In the first two seasons of his fledgling career, Mitchell finished in the top 10 in this category. The balancing guard carries a massive offensive charge in Utah and bears this burden in the last period. He has 39 career games with at least 10 points in the fourth quarter. As a reminder, LeBron recorded 33 double-digit performances in the fourth quarter during its first two NBA seasons. Kobe made it 13 times and Harden 11.
10. Bradley Beal, 6.7 points
Beal is the author of the most important season of his career with John Wall, his back teammate. Wall's injury also meant that Beal would become the main option for scoops in the fourth quarter. He answered the call, shooting at 51.6% on the field and 40.0% at 3 points over the last 12 minutes of games. Reduce it to the last two minutes when the game is within five points and its efficiency is – impressive – equally productive (51.0, 38.1).
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