Best NBA Performances of 2011-12

SI Staff | Apr 15, 2012

Best NBA Performances of 2011-12 /

Best NBA Performances of 2011-12

Deron Williams

Nets point guard Deron Williams scored a career-high and team-record 57 points -- the most by any player in a single game this season -- in a 104-101 win over the Bobcats. Williams' previous career mark was 42, which he scored against the Thunder on April 6, 2010, when he was with the Jazz.

Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

In a record-setting night in Oklahoma City, Timberwolves big man Love posted career marks of 51 points and seven three-pointers, in addition to 14 rebounds, in a 149-140 double-overtime loss to the Thunder. Love's 50-point performance was the third of the season, but it wasn't enough against Oklahoma City's duo of Durant (40) and Westbrook (45), who became the first pair of teammates in NBA history to score at least 40 points twice in the same season (see slides five and 12). Durant also pulled down 17 boards (the second most of his career), while Westbrook dished out six assists.

Carmelo Anthony

In a preview of a potential first-round playoff matchup, the Knicks hosted the Bulls in Derrick Rose's first game back since injuring his groin on March 12. But the reigning MVP's return to the court was rusty (29 points on 8-of-26 shooting and eight turnovers), while Carmelo Anthony turned in a vintage-Melo performance for a 100-99 overtime win for the Knicks. The ninth-year forward nailed a game-tying three with 11.2 seconds in regulation, then did it again for the win, with 8.2 seconds left in overtime. Anthony finished with a season-high 43 points on 16-of-31 shooting (4-of-5 from three), plus seven rebounds and three assists to put the depleted Knicks one game ahead of the Bucks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Andrew Bynum

With Kobe Bryant out, Andrew Bynum picked up the slack with the first 30-rebound game in more than two years. Bynum posted 16 points and 30 boards in the Lakers' 98-84 win over the Spurs. Only Bynum and Kevin Love have recorded 30 rebounds in a game in the last 12 years.

Dwight Howard

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year did everything in a 117-109 win over the Warriors. Not only did he score a whopping 45 points of 12-of-21 shooting, but he also grabbed 23 boards, have four steals, three assists and two blocks.

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo had 18 points, 20 assists and a career-high 17 rebounds in a 115-111 overtime win against the Knicks. It was Rondo's fourth triple-double of the season and the 17th of his career. The last player to record a triple-double with at least 17 in each category was Magic Johnson, who had 24 points, 17 assists and 17 rebounds on April 18, 1989. Even more impressive: The last player to exceed Rondo's numbers in each categon Feb. 2, 1968.ry was Wilt Chamberlain, who had 22 points, 25 boards and 21 assists o

Kevin Durant

Reigning scoring champ Kevin Durant dropped a career-best 51 (the highest output of the season at the time) on the Nuggets as the Thunder rolled to a 124-118 overtime win. Durant was 19-of-28 from the floor and 5-of-6 from three-point range, and also grabbed eight rebounds and had four steals.

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis put on a show against the Thunder, but it wasn't enough to stave off the top team in the West. The Warriors guard had 48 points on 18-of-29 shooting, plus seven rebounds and two assists and two steals in 119-116 loss.

Kobe Bryant

Playing with a wrist injury, Kobe Bryant broke open a tight game with 15 of the Lakers' final 17 points to finish with 48 in a 99-83 win over the Suns. It was the first time he passed the 40-point mark this season. Of course, he followed this three more 40-point games.

LeBron James

The King poured in 38 points on 13-of-22 shooting plus -- PLUS! -- 11 boards, six assists, five steals and one block in a 107-93 win over the Trail Blazers. Not too shabby.

Tony Parker

Few remember because it happened on the same night as Jeremy Lin's breakout game with the Knicks, but Parker became the Spurs' all-time assists leader after a 42-point, nine-assist showing in a 107-96 win over the Thunder.

Anthony Morrow

Morrow dropped a career-high 42 points, including eight three-pointers (the most this season), in a loss to the Timberwolves.

Russell Westbrook

While Durant tallied a career-high 51 points in the overtime win against the Nuggets, Westbrook added 40 points, nine assists and four rebounds while going 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. Westbrook also nailed a three to start the OT period, putting the Thunder up for good.

Kevin Love

The Timberwolves big man had a season-high 42 points and 10 rebounds in a 122-110 win over the Trail Blazers, snapping Minnesota's 16-game losing streak to Portland.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

In a showing that was almost as good as their 85-point total in an overtime win against the Timberwolves on March 23, Kevin Durant (43 points) and Russell Westbrook (35) again topped Minnesota (who was without Kevin Love this time), 115-110, by combining for nearly 70 percent of the Thunder's points.

Published Apr 15, 2012

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