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3-Point Records Sure To Fall In NBA Finals

By Mark Vandeusen

May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Beginning on Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

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In a constantly evolving league, teams are coming to rely more and more on the three-point shot.  Case in point: 10 years ago, the Phoenix Suns led the NBA with 24.7 three-point attempts per game.  Phoenix was one of only five clubs to average more than 20 threes per contest.

In 2014-15, the Houston Rockets were No. 1 in three-point attempts with 32.7 per game, nearly 33 percent more than the 2004-05 Suns.  This season, 19 teams averaged more than 20 threes a night.

The Warriors finished the regular season with 10.8 made threes per game, second behind Houston’s 11.4.  The Cavs tied for third with 10.1.  With long-range attempts more popular than ever and two of the league’s leading teams in that category competing for the title, it’s a good bet that a number of NBA Finals three-point records are about to fall.

Including the playoffs, Golden State has taken 33 or more threes in 14 games this season.  Cleveland has surpassed that mark 22 times in 2014-15.  This record seems almost certain to be broken.

Against the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals, MVP Stephen Curry knocked down 27 shots from beyond the arc in the five-game series.  For the entire postseason, Curry is averaging 4.9 made three-pointers per contest.  If the Finals lasts more than five games, he’ll very likely set a new mark in this category.

Four players made nine or more threes in a game this year and three of them will take the floor in the Finals–Curry, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving (Jodie Meeks was the other).

There were also 21 occasions of a player connecting on at least eight three-pointers in a game in 2014-15.  Twelve of those 21 belong to Curry (5), Thompson (2), Irving (1) and the Cavs’ J.R. Smith (4).  This record may or may not fall, but all the best candidates will be out there to take a crack at it.

Next: Draft Lottery Success Not A Formula For Championships

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