George is hot heading into Three-Point Contest
Paul George took his spot in the right corner of FedEx Forum and easily flicked 3-point shot after 3-point shot. All but one went in off a series of passes from Thunder coach Adrian Griffin.
George might be reaching off of a rack rather than receiving passes during Saturday’s Three-Point Contest, but regardless of how the All-Star forward gets the ball, he’s entering Staples Center and his hometown of Los Angeles as one of the hottest 3-point shooters in the NBA.
George comes into the All-Star break shooting a career-best 43.3 percent — sixth in the NBA — and is second in the league in 3-pointers made (187) behind James Harden (206). He’s in the midst of a streak of five consecutive games with five or more 3-pointers made, tied with Harden and Stephen Curry for the longest streak in the league this season.
George has shaken off an early season issue with his right forearm to post blistering shooting numbers since the turn of the new year. In 22 games since Jan. 1, George has shot 50.3 percent from the field, 42.8 percent from 3-point range.
Saturday will be the second time George has participated in the Three-Point Contest. He struggled in 2013, racking up just 10 points in a contest eventually won by Kyrie Irving.
In Memphis, George said as excited as he is about the rest at All-Star break, he’s excited to compete.
“My fifth time around,” George said, noting his fifth All-Star selection. “I’m excited to be in the 3-point contest, give the fans a show.”
According to Bovada.lv online sports book, George has 13-to-2 odds to win the contest. Golden State's Klay Thompson is the favorite at 2/1.
JBL Three-Point Contest odds (Bovada.lv)
Klay Thompson 2/1; Eric Gordon 9/2; Devin Booker 6/1; Paul George 13/2; Wayne Ellington 15/2; Bradley Beal 17/2; Kyle Lowry 9/1; Tobias Harris 11/1
Ferguson steps in
Terrance Ferguson made the most of his final opportunity before the All-Star break.
The 19-year-old rookie didn’t even play against Cleveland on Tuesday and was set for possibly another DNP against Memphis before Alex Abrines suffered a left hip contusion. Ferguson stepped in to hit all three of his shots over 10 second-half minutes for eight points.
“Yeah, eight big ones,” George said. “Not only his scoring, but I thought he made some big plays, getting offensive rebounds and his defense. His defense was very solid down the stretch. It’s a luxury to have a young guy like that that comes in and plays hard and doesn’t play out of his body. He keeps everything within himself.”
Even better than his made shots: Ferguson committed only one personal foul.
“I thought he was really engaged, did a great job defensively, and he was really focused,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.
Stat of the day
3: Just three teams entered the All-Star break in the league’s Top 10 in both points allowed per 100 possessions (defensive rating) and points scored per 100 possessions (offensive rating): Toronto (fourth in offense, 110.7; fourth in defense, 102.6), Golden State (first in offense, 113.7; fifth in defense 103.7) and Oklahoma City (ninth in offense, 107.2; seventh in defense, 104).