NEW YORK (Sporting Alert) — Carmelo Anthony won his first-ever career NBA regular season scoring title, while the following are the top finishers on the scoring list for this term.
The New York Knicks All-Star forward secured the crown after defending champion Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City opted to sit out the Thunder regular season finale, which they dropped Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Anthony is averaging 28.7 points per game and his big run since the start of April contributed heavily to him overtaking Durant in the race.
The former NCAA champion joins Bernard King (1984-85) as the only New York Knicks players to land the NBA’s regular season scoring crown.
“I think it’s great,” said Knicks head coach Mike Woodson of Anthony winning the scoring title this season.
“Again, it’s a nice individual award, but I know Melo’s thinking bigger than the scoring title.
“His whole thought process has been this year is trying to get to the Finals.”
Durant, who played 81 games against Anthony’s 67, is currently averaging 28.1 points per game, while Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who is out for the rest of the season averaged 27.3 PPG.
The top five NBA regular season scoring list is completed by LeBron James of the Miami Heat at 26.8 and James Harden from the Houston Rockets, at 25.9.
Durant won the last three scoring titles, including last season when he finished with an average of 28.0 points per game.
NBA Points Per Game Leaders
1 Carmelo Anthony, SF NY 28.7
2 Kevin Durant, SF OKC – 28.1
3 Kobe Bryant, SG LAL – 27.3
4 LeBron James, SF MIA – 26.8
5 James Harden, SG HOU – 25.9
6 Russell Westbrook, PG OKC – 23.2
7 Stephen Curry, PG GS – 22.9
8 Dwyane Wade, SG MIA – 21.2
9 LaMarcus Aldridge, PF POR – 21.1
10 Brook Lopez, C BKN – 19.4
11 Monta Ellis, PG MIL – 19.2
12 Damian Lillard, PG POR – 19.0
13 Deron Williams, PG BKN – 18.9
14 Paul Pierce, SF BOS – 18.6
15 David Lee, PF GS – 18.5
16 Rudy Gay, SF TOR/MEM – 18.2
17 DeMar DeRozan, SG TOR – 18.1
J.R. Smith, SG NY – 18.1
19 Blake Griffin, PF LAC – 18.0
20 Al Jefferson, C UTAH – 17.8
