Looking at a box score is something anyone can do. Who lead my team in scoring? How'd we shoot from the field? And while that knowledge is useful, does it really earn you bonus points around the water cooler?
That's why I'm here. Sure, you know that Kevin Durant had a historic January and you might even be able to recall the number of consecutive 30-plus performances, but that's not "new" information. It is the same information that is broadcast on TV and radio shows across the globe. But did you know KD had more 30 point, five assist, five rebound games in the month of January than Paul George and LeBron James had combined for up to that point http://www.hickory-high.com/?p=11937 ? Tid bits like have the ability to separate you from the pack and make you the smartest fan in every room you enter.
It is that reason why I'm bringing you S.W.I.M: Statistics Worth Increased Media. Let Joe from accounting regurgitate what he heard on the way in this morning; you're better than that. Use these nuggets to gain further insight to your favorite team and amaze those you discuss the NBA with. Without further adieu, here is your morning SWIM for last night's Cavaliers/Thunder game.
The Cavaliers improved to 6-0 when Tristan Thompson tallies multiple assists and double digit rebounds, they are 17-36 when he doesn't.
Cleveland has won as many games over the last two weeks when Kyrie Irving attempts at least five free throws and does not miss (two) as they did during the first 3.5 months of the season.
Say what you will about Anthony Bennett, but he's a 20-year-old kid who has seen his scoring average increase every single month of his rookie campaign.
Spencer Hawes knocked down three triples and is averaging more trifecta's in wins (2.3) than the sharp-shooting Bradley Beal is (2.1).
Jarrett Jack made 42.9% of his shots against the Thunder, matching his most efficient day from the field in a victory over the last 40 days.
Using Cleveland's bottom ten fourth quarter scoring offense and the Oklahoma City's top ten fourth quarter scoring defense, the number cruncher would have projected the Cavs to tally 23-24 points in the final 12 minutes. They scored 23 points in the first seven minutes of the fourth on their way to 42 points.
Kevin Durant played 41 minutes last night, giving him his fifth two game stretch that included at least 87 minutes played this season. LeBron James has only done that five times (in the regular season) since January 1, 2013.
Serge Ibaka made eight of 12 shots and recorded a double double against the Cavaliers, but what else is new? Ibaka has shot at least 50% from the field in all seven double doubles since we flipped the calendar to 2014 (shooting 63.8% in those games).
The Thunder have won the last ten games in which Jeremy Lamb scored at least ten points. He has totaled just ten points during their three game losing streak.
Russell Westbrook knocked down three triples, giving him five in his last two games. That is a career-high for three's made during a two game regular season losing streak.
In the first 55 games of the season, OKC attempted 176 more free throws than three pointers. During their three game skid, they've attempted nine more threes than freebies.
Thabo "sticky hands" Sefolsha recorded a theft, the seventh straight â and 13th time in his last 14 â home games that he has done so. The defense is nice, but this is an offensive based NBA, and the Thunder have been outscored by 53 points over the last three games when Sefolsha is on the court (outscoring opponents by 13 when he is on the pine).
