What2Watch4: Kevin Durant's disappearing act
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant averaged 36.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game in three games against the Golden State Warriors this season.
According to Elias Sports Bureau research, he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to average at least 36 points, 12 rebounds and six assists per game against a single opponent that they faced at least three times in a single season. Durant is the first to do so since Abdul-Jabbar in 1973-74 against the Rockets.
Durant’s 36.3 points was his highest scoring average against any opponent he faced at least three times this season.
Durant shot at least 50 percent against every Warriors defender who defended him for at least two field goal attempts.
But when the game has been on the line, Durant has disappeared. You can see the difference in the chart on the right. In their last matchup of the regular season, Durant didn’t even attempt a field goal in the final six minutes.
The designated Durant-stopper in key spots has been Andre Iguodala. Durant is 1-of-6 against Iguodala in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime. But he’s 8-of-10 against Iguodala when shooting earlier in the game than that.
