Posted on: February 8, 2023, 02:53h.
Final up to date on: February 8, 2023, 03:25h.
On the identical evening that LeBron James broke the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring document, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas additionally set a brand new NBA document.
Thomas, a 6-foot-3 taking pictures guard, turned the youngest participant in NBA historical past to attain 40 or extra factors in three consecutive video games. He scored 43 factors in opposition to the Phoenix Suns Tuesday evening after exploding for a career-high 47 factors on Monday evening in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers. He additionally scored 44 factors over the weekend in opposition to the Washington Wizards.
Allen Iverson set the preliminary three-game document when he dropped five-straight 40-point video games throughout his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996-97. Iverson was a few months in need of his twenty second birthday throughout his epic scoring binge in April 1997.
Thomas, a second-year participant with the Nets, set a brand new document with three 40-plus scoring video games at 21 years and 117 days previous.
From Japan to Virginia to Brooklyn
Thomas was born in Japan, the place his American mom, Leslie, was residing. She grew keen on Asia whereas stationed abroad throughout her stint within the US Military. She ultimately returned stateside to Virginia, the place she grew up, to lift Thomas and his older sister.
Thomas flourished as a star athlete in Chesapeake. He enrolled at Oak Hill Academy, a basketball powerhouse in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, for his junior and senior years. Thomas was teammates with Cole Anthony, who’s presently the purpose guard for the Orlando Magic.
Thomas averaged 31.5 factors per recreation in his senior season and set the document for many profession factors in Oak Hill faculty historical past. That’s a formidable document, contemplating what number of future NBA gamers performed ball at Oak Hill, together with Rod Strickland, Jerry Stackhouse, Kevin Durant, Stephen Jackson, Rajon Rondo, and Carmelo Anthony.
LSU supplied Thomas a scholarship and he headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Play his collegiate ball. He led all freshmen within the NCAA in scoring by averaging 23.1 factors per recreation. After a one-and-done season with LSU, Thomas declared for the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Brooklyn Nets chosen Thomas with the #27 decide late within the first spherical. He averaged 8.5 factors per recreation throughout his rookie season with the Nets. He had a few spectacular video games final season, however he struggled from 3-point vary with a 27% success price.
Thomas Flourishing After Kyrie Irving Commerce
Thomas sought to enhance his 3-point shot within the low season, and the exhausting work paid off. He’s taking pictures 42.7% from 3-point vary this season.
Throughout his first 33 video games this season, Thomas averaged 7.0 factors per recreation off the bench, however some nights he solely performed a few minutes. He noticed an enormous increase in enjoying time simply earlier than and after the Nets traded level guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.
Irving sat out Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Washington Wizards after he requested a commerce on Friday. Thomas erupted for 44 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in simply 29 minutes off the bench in opposition to the Wizards. He shot 16-for-23 from the ground, together with 4-for-5 from 3-point vary.
On Monday, Thomas scored a career-high 47 factors in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers. He knocked down 7-for-11 from 3-point vary and shot 10-for-11 from the free-throw line.
On Tuesday, Thomas dropped 43 in opposition to the Suns as a starter.
Clearly I’d moderately have the Win, nevertheless it’s simply good to have my title in historical past,” stated Thomas.
“Cam has been scorching,” stated head coach Jacque Vaughn. “He has undoubtedly opened numerous eyes. That child is on a heater.”
Thomas related on solely three treys in opposition to the Suns and earned the majority of his game-high 43 factors the old style method on the charity stripe. He shot 18-for-20 from the free-throw line.
Thomas technically scored 43-plus factors in three consecutive video games, and he’s now averaging 38.3 factors per recreation in February. He’s additionally taking pictures 89% from the free-throw line and 48.4% from past the arc.
Betting the Put up-Irving Nets
The Nets noticed their NBA championship odds considerably drop after they traded Irving to the Mavs on Sunday. The Nets are presently +1800 odds to Win the title, in accordance with DraftKings.
Nonetheless, the Nets won’t be useless within the water with the shock emergence of Thomas. The Nets nonetheless await the return of All-Star ahead Kevin Durant, who has missed a number of weeks with a knee damage and received’t return till after the All-Star Break.
The Nets even have guard Spencer Dinwiddie and ahead Dorian-Finney Smith – each starters with the Mavs – becoming a member of the group this week as a part of the Irving commerce.
With a 32-22 document, the Nets presently maintain down fifth place within the Jap Convention. They’re the fourth group on the futures board at +750 odds to Win the Jap Convention and advance to the NBA Finals.
The Nets occupy third place within the Atlantic Division, trailing the Boston Celtics (38-16) by six video games and the Philadelphia 76ers (34-16) by three video games. The Celtics are a giant favourite to Win the Atlantic Division at -1200 odds, adopted by the 76ers (+600) and Nets (+4000).
The Nets stay in New York Metropolis between now and the All-Star recreation break, which begins subsequent weekend. They’ve three upcoming house video games in opposition to the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Warmth. They’ve a fast journey throughout the East River to Play the New York Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard subsequent Monday.
