Wesley Matthews vs. J.R. Smith
Since being instituted in the NBA in 1979-80, the 3-point shot has increasingly become an integral part of the league’s offenses. This season, the Trail Blazers and Knicks are two teams demonstrating just how important the long ball can be. Both teams rank among the league’s top 10 in 3-pointers made per game – Portland sits tied for second at 10.1, while New York claims 10th with 8.5. And to make that many treys, it’s no surprise that both teams rank among the league’s top 10 in 3-pointers attempted per game – New York ranks second with 26.0, while Portland falls eighth at 23.9. Like in most team stats, no single player is responsible for these numbers. But having 3-point artists like Portland’s Wesley Matthews and New York’s J.R. Smith certainly helps. Consider that each player has made a 3-pointer every night he has stepped onto the floor so far this season. In only his fourth year in Rip City, Matthews already ranks fifth in total 3-pointers made by a Trail Blazer, all-time. At just 28 years old and in his 10th NBA season, Smith can already say he’s among the top 50 players in 3-pointers made in the history of the league. Both players may continue to climb up those charts as they attempt to shoot their teams to victory tonight.
Stats through November 20th.
Wesley Matthews
• The only NBA player with at least 40 3-pointers while shooting at least 50% from 3-point range in 2013-14
• Has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his 14 games played so far this season
• Ranks fourth among Portland’s all-time career leaders with 494 3-pointers made
J.R. Smith
• His 1,139 career 3-pointers made rank 50th in NBA history
• Has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his seven games played so far this season
• Named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year for the 2012-13 season after averaging 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 80 games off the bench