The NBA’s scoring title is coming down to the wire. Bradley Beal and Stephen Curry are neck-and-neck to be the 2020-21 scoring leader. Thus, Saturday’s performance by both men was epic.
First, Beal dropped 50 points on the Indiana Pacers in the Washington Wizards’ 133-132 overtime win. It was Beal’s second 50-point performance of the season.
He shot 19-of-31 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Beal did all of his work in regulation. Unfortunately, a hamstring strain kept him entirely out of the overtime frame. It’s safe to assume he left points on the scoreboard being unable to finish the game.
Beal’s 50-point outing pushed him temporary in the lead for the scoring title. However, Curry and his Golden State Warriors were also in action Saturday.
Entering the game, Curry needed 22 points to remain the scoring leader. He wasted no time, dropping 24 points in the first quarter.
Curry wasn’t done. He proceeded to score a total of 49 points through three quarters. He shot 14-of-26 from the field. Curry made 11 three-pointers in the process, as the Warriors routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 136-97.
With a huge lead, Curry did not play the fourth quarter.
Following the Warriors win, Curry acknowledged he was well aware Beal dropped 50 earlier in the night.
With his 49 points, Curry is now averaging 31.9 points per game. Meanwhile, Beal is not too far behind averaging 31.4 per game. The race for the scoring title will remain tight going down the final stretch of the season.
The Wizards and Warriors each have four game remaining to the season. And both teams are fighting for position for the play-in tournament. Warriors are now in eighth place in the Western Conference while the Wizards moved to ninth in the Eastern Conference.
