You may have noticed NBA scores rising unprecedentedly in recent seasons. Players are putting up career-high point totals and breaking long-standing NBA records. For those interested in making informed decisions based on these trends, exploring NBA picks can offer valuable insights. Analysing picks that others make when it comes to betting can help to give you better understanding of the games at hand, picks are generally based on extensive data on players, as well as a teams form and the general strategies employed in the NBA currently.
The league is amid an offensive explosion, as scoring has never been easier. Superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and Klay Thompson are routinely dropping 50-point games.
What exactly is fueling this NBA scoring boom?
Several factors contribute to the historically high NBA scores through rule changes, style of play adaptations, and increased offensive talent.
Here is a list of factors driving the NBA scoring boom:
1. The Impact of the Three-Point Revolution
One of the primary drivers of inflated NBA scores has been the rise of the three-point shot.
Over the last decade-plus, long-range shooting has evolved from a secondary weapon to the predominant focus of team offenses. This “three-point revolution” has completely changed how the game is strategized and played on both ends.
Players like Reggie Miller and Ray Allen helped popularize three-point shooting after the NBA implemented the three-point line in 1979. Their success opened the door for a new wave of “stretch bigs” like Dirk Nowitzki, who could score inside and out.
As teams realized the three’s worth, player specialization increased. Klay Thompson and other specialists now focus nearly entirely on three-point scoring. Thompson is one of the best long-range shooters in the history of the NBA and has a single-game record with 14 threes. The threat of an excellent three-point shooter also creates perfect spacing for rim-attacking ball-handlers.
This spacing has dramatically increased three-point attempts, makes, and deep shooting efficiency over the last 15 years. Teams averaged over 16 three-point shots per game in 2021-22, a new NBA record. The rise in three-point shooting has improved scoring because each three is worth 1.5 times a two-pointer.
2. Freedom of Movement and the Rise of Scoring Point Guards
The NBA’s emphasis on offensive players’ “freedom of movement” without physical defense has also proven crucial.
With hand-checking disallowed and drive fouls reduced, ball-handlers have an edge over defenders. This mobility flexibility has allowed ball-dominant point guards to lead some of the league’s most potent offenses. Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Trae Young are reinventing the position by averaging 25-30 points and 7-10 assists.
Elite playmakers attack the rim fiercely and draw many fouls per game, making free throws easy. With fewer defenders to prevent their penetration, point guards have unprecedented scoring seasons.
In 2021-22, Doncic became the third player to average over 30 points and 8+ assists. These powerful scoring point guards have increased game speed, possessions, and team points nightly. More fouls put high-volume scorers at the charity stripe, where they can score easily.
3. The Impact of Versatile Forwards
At the same time, versatile forwards like Giannis Antetokounmpo have taken the league by storm. These hybrid players possess the ball handling and shooting ability of guards combined with the size and strength of big men.
Giannis has used his rare combination of skills to become a two-time league MVP and defensive player of the year. He led the NBA in scoring in 2021-22 while contributing in every other category.
Players with the skill set of Giannis are nearly tough to match using traditional placements. They can score from anywhere, dominate the paint, and run the offense as primary ball-handlers. These new agile forwards have cracked NBA defenses and fueled record scoring.
Forwards like Giannis, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum can exploit any mismatch and exploit an opponent’s system. Their all-around offensive games are setting the bar for nightly scoring stars.
4. The Rise of Offensive Talent and Efficiency
Perhaps the biggest factor driving the scoring surge is the immense talent entering the league.
You are witnessing the highest concentration of offensive ability in NBA history. Players today have refined perimeter skills, ball-handling, and shooting far beyond what was standard even a decade ago. Superstars like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard have revolutionized the point guard position with their long-range shooting prowess.
This new generation of players grew up practising and perfecting the skills that translate best to the modern NBA game. Combined with advanced sports science and year-round training, today’s athletes are stronger and far more skilled offensively than ever. Individual players are putting up gaudy stats, and entire teams are breaking records for points, assists, and efficiency. In 2021-22, the NBA set new marks with over 111 points scored per team per game on average.
With more talented scorers and teammates than prior eras, players can sustain high-level scoring over long stretches. Rhythmic scoring is becoming second nature as NBA offenses emphasize ball and player movement. This skilful, free-flowing brand of basketball maximizes player strengths and creates efficient scoring opportunities on almost every possession.
Advanced stats like offensive rating and true shooting percentage point to an unprecedented level of team offense across the league. Simply put – there is more offensive talent in the NBA than you’ve ever seen.
Final Thoughts
The NBA has created an ideal atmosphere for breaking nightly scoring records through inventive rule changes, smart adaptations, and extraordinary individual talent. Defenses are straining to catch up as attacks smash records alarmingly. Skilled players may attack with flawless moves and shots from all angles, destroying scoring ceilings regularly.
NBA scores will continue to be high as long as the focus is on fluid team offense, three-point shooting proficiency, restricting physical defense, and scheduling more games. As the game adapts to today’s offensive powers, efficient, high-powered scoring appears to be here to stay.
Historic point totals and eye-popping stat lines are the norms in this new era—no indications of slowing down the NBA scoring explosion.