Al Jefferson of the Utah Jazz is currently having his worst offensive season in his last seven years.
Fortunately for Jefferson he is about to get just what the doctor ordered - an appointment with the Charlotte Bobcats.
As a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008 Jefferson absolutely shredded the Bobcats with one of the best games of his career. His 40 points that night not only tied his career high, but his 18 of 25 shooting was one of the most devastating shooting nights in recent NBA memory.
As Jefferson and the Utah Jazz prepare to tangle with Charlotte on Thursday, January 9th, let's take a look back on the best scoring night of Big Al's career.
Career-High 40 Points
On April 8, 2008, Al Jefferson matched his career high with 40 points when the Minnesota Timberwolves lost 121-119 to the Charlotte Bobcats.
Jefferson 40-point outburst against the Bobcats came during a torrid 10-week stretch in 2008 when he put up his three highest scoring performances.
Al Jefferson Highest Scoring Games
40 - vs. Charlotte Bobcats, April 8, 2008
40 - vs. New Jersey Nets, January 27, 2008
39 - vs. Phoenix Suns, January 23, 2008
39 - vs. Chicago Bulls, January 25, 2009
38 - vs. Memphis Grizzlies, December 29, 2008
While Jefferson dropped 40 on the Bobcats in 2008, it was the two points he didn't score that made the difference in the game.
With the Timberwolves trailing by two points with 0.7 seconds left, Minnesota drew up an inbound play that got Jefferson a wide-open 19-foot jumper. Despite having one of the best scoring nights of his career, Jefferson missed the game-tying shot and the Wolves lost the game.
But that was one of only a few shots Jefferson missed that night in one of the most dominant shooting games in recent NBA history.
Going a Blistering 18 of 25
It only took Al Jefferson 25 shots to score 40 points on the Bobcats back in 2008, giving the big man one of the hottest shooting nights in recent years.
Highest FG% Since 2008 - Min. 25 Field Goal Attempts
1-T) .800 (20 of 25) - Louis Scola, 2010
1-T) .800 (20 of 25) - Shaquille O'Neal, 2009
3) .760 (19 of 25) - Carmelo Anthony, 2008
.4-T) 720 (18 of 25) - Al Jefferson, 2008
Only three players in the last four-plus season have had better shooting nights than Jefferson enjoyed against the Bobcats when attempting at least 25 shots.
Nearly five years have passed since Jefferson's big game against the Bobcats. He could use another huge performance against Charlotte this week.
Jefferson's 16.8 points per game this year are his lowest since the 2006-2007 season. His 47.3% field goal percentage is by far the lowest of his career, surpassing his previous low of 49.2% last year.
With Charlotte giving up a league worst 103.8 points per game, maybe this will be the game Big Al finally breaks out.
He's dominated the Bobcats before. He very well may do it again.
Andrew Sweat covers the NBA. For more articles like this, visit Andrew's archive or check out these great articles:
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