The NBA season provides ample opportunities for cross-conference rivalry matchups as Eastern and Western conference teams face off regularly. While wins and losses separate teams vying for playoff positions within their conferences, these inter-conference clashes also allow fans to compare the top individual performances of stars in the East and West. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the standout player stats from Western vs Eastern matchups this season.
Scoring Leaders: Lillard and Antetokounmpo at the Top
When it comes to consistently putting the ball in the basket against opposite conference opponents, a couple of superstars have stood out above the rest as the highest scorers so far. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers averages 29.4 points per game in 13 interference matchups. The explosive point guard has repeatedly shown this season that he can take over a game offensively almost single-handedly. Giannis Antetokounmpo is just a little behind as the leading scorer representing the East, averaging 28.5 points for the Milwaukee Bucks in their 11 games facing Western foes. The reigning MVP’s versatility and physical dominance have allowed him to score from all areas of the floor and get to the free-throw line effectively.
Top Assists Men: LeBron James Still Leading the Way
While others may put up gaudy scoring stats, no one orchestrates an offense as smoothly as LeBron James. Even at 35, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar keeps racking up assists at a mind-boggling rate. In 10 interconference games this season, King James is averaging an NBA-best 11.4 assists per contest, according to stats tracked by Basketball Reference. His incredible court vision and pass-first playmaking remain at an elite level. After LeBron, another point forward stands out with top assister numbers – Luka Doncic. Averaging 9.5 assists for the Dallas Mavericks against Eastern opponents, the young Slovenian star is a one-man fastbreak waiting to happen on any possession.
Rebounding Royalty: Drummond and Embiid Dominate the Boards
It should come as no surprise that the league’s best rebounders continue to feast on missed shots regardless of conference. Andre Drummond, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers, hauled in an East-leading 15.4 rebounds on average in 9 interconference contests before being traded. With his remarkable second-jump abilities and soft hands, Drummond is an absolute force around the rim who cleans the glass with authority. Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers isn’t far behind, pulling down 14.6 boards per game against Western resistance with his unique combination of size, athleticism, and knack for positioning himself perfectly. Both big men possess the rare combination of rebounding instincts and physical tools to keep them entrenched atop the league’s rebounding charts all season long.
Stoppers at the Point of Attack: Smart and Westbrook Pacing the Steal Charts
Creating turnovers is as essential as any other statistic for impacting winning, and a couple of defensive-minded ballhawks have stood out in this department. Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics is arguably the best on-ball perimeter defender in the NBA today, and he’s proven as much by racking up an incredible 3.3 steals per game against Western foes so far, according to the stats. His anticipation skills and competitiveness shut down opposing point guards with startling consistency. Not to be outdone, the ultra-athletic Russell Westbrook also averages an impressive 2.9 steals for the Houston Rockets in 11 interconference tilts, using his lightning-quick hands and sheer hustle to disrupt opposing offenses frequently on the perimeter. Both Smart and Westbrook are pure lockdown defenders who constantly frustrate ball handlers.
Efficiencies from Deep: Beal and Doncic Pace with Accurate Long-Range Games
In today’s three-point shooting-crazed NBA, consistently knocking down perimeter shots is a valuable skill. No players have excelled more from beyond the arc against opposing conferences than a pair of prolific scorers. Bradley Beal has shot a scorching-hot 48.9% from three for the Washington Wizards in 12 games versus the West, a veritable heat check awaiting each time he rises. His silky smooth jumper and veteran poise result in astonishing accuracy. Luka Doncic isn’t far behind at 44.8% on three-point attempts against Eastern teams, showcasing deep-range and crafty shot creativity. Both Beal and Doncic make pulling up from a distance seem effortless in elevating their offenses to top-tier efficiencies.
While these individual player stats give a snapshot into superstar performances so far this season, the race for the best individual stats versus opposite conferences is still wide open as the long NBA season progresses. More inter-conference matchups are on tapdown, the stretch where new leaders may emerge. But for now, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Andre Drummond, Joel Embiid, Marcus Smart, Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, and Luka Doncic have positively influenced their team’s success versus opposite conferences with sensational all-around production at both ends of the floor. Their efforts have kept fans eagerly following player-versus-player statistical showdowns between basketball’s highest East and West competition levels.
conclusion
The statistical leaders highlighted in this article represent the best of the best when it comes to individual production in interconference matchups so far this NBA season. While team success will always trump individual accolades, performances like those of Lillard, Antetokounmpo, James, and others still provide entertaining storylines for fans to follow. As the campaign progresses, new challengers will emerge in the statistical chase. Continued top performances against Eastern and Western opponents will help superstars strengthen their cases for postseason awards. But more importantly, dominant interconference showings remain essential for each player’s team pursuing top playoff positioning as the chase for an NBA championship heats up.
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