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LeBron James On Pace To Break Several NBA Finals Records

ByMark Vandeusen|
Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

After LeBron James’ 40-point, 12-rebound, eight-assist effort in the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 96-91 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, his series averages now stand at the following: 47.4 minutes, 41.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.

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James is obviously the series leading scorer, with Stephen Curry second at 24.0 PPG.  LeBron is also the top assist man in the Finals to this point, with Curry second in that category as well at 6.3 per contest.  And for rebounds, James’ average is the second-highest behind Tristan Thompson’s 14.0.  James has a chance to lead the Finals in all three categories, something that has never been done before.

At 41.0 points per game, LeBron is on pace to tie Michael Jordan for the highest scoring average in Finals history.  Should the series go seven games, James could well break Elgin Baylor’s 1962 record of 284 total points in the Finals, an average of 40.6 per contest.

Via the Elias Sports Bureau:

"James and [Rick] Barry are also the only players to miss at least 20 field-goal attempts in three consecutive Finals games; Barry had four such games in a row to conclude the 1967 Finals while James now has three such games to begin this year’s Finals."

Elias also notes that LeBron has now taken at least 30 shots in three consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Over the last 30 years, there are only 11 instances of a player attempting 34 or more field goals in a Finals game.  Michael Jordan did it five times spanning three different series, while Scottie Pippen, Allen Iverson and Kobe Byrant each accomplished the feat as well.  The other three belong to James, in each of the last three games.

With an average of 35.7 attempts per contest, James is on track to shoot the ball 250 times if the series goes seven games, a number that would shatter Baylor’s record of 235.  Baylor also holds the record for most field goals made in a Finals with 101.  LeBron’s 43 baskets through three games has him on pace to make 100 over a seven-game series.

Next: 3-Point Records Sure To Fall in NBA Finals

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