Top 5 Sports Facts to Know From 8/31/20

The NBA Playoffs are getting better everyday as CP3 now forced a Game 7 vs. Houston, while Westbrook’s turnovers are setting records. The Yanks broke the bank for Gerrit Cole this past winter but he’s been getting giving up as many bombs as anyone this year. Here are the top 5 sports facts to know from August 31, 2020:

Playoff TO Machine

Russell Westbrook has choked in the playoffs before, and did so once again on Monday with a crucial turnover in the final possession that led to his league-leading 3.9 career TO per game in the postseason.

Russell Westbrook's 3.9 turnovers per game during his NBA Playoff career are the most by any player in history pic.twitter.com/C8GuzHF2rQ
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 1, 2020

Bieber Racking Up Ks

No pitcher in the American League has a better chance to claim the Cy Young Award than Shane Bieber this year, who’s striking batters out at a historic rate.

Shane Bieber's 82 strikeouts are the most by any pitcher through the 1st 50 innings of a season in MLB history https://t.co/U2xcFLFxRl
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 1, 2020

CP3 in the Clutch

When it comes to the clutch, nobody is succeeding more this season than CP3.

Chris Paul in the clutch this season (including playoffs):

171 PTS (leads NBA)
52.5 FG%
40.6 3P%

32 WINS (leads NBA)
14 LOSSES pic.twitter.com/UCLdhMSBrP
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 1, 2020

HR Derby Off Cole

The $324 million dollar man has struggled his last two starts, and is now tied for the lead in HR allowed during his inaugural season in pinstripes.

Gerrit Cole has allowed 12 HR this season, tied for the most in the league pic.twitter.com/r5MSJ0Ij6P
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 1, 2020

Most Improved Player

The New Orleans Pelicans have a very bright future if they can re-sign the Most Improved Player Brandon Ingram this offseason as he’s clearly been putting in work to improve his game, especially at the charity stripe.

Brandon Ingram became the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 85% from the free-throw line after three consecutive seasons with a free-throw percentage less than 70%:

✅ 2016-17 – 62.1%
✅ 2017-18 – 68.1%
✅ 2018-19 – 67.5%
✅ 2019-20 – 85.1% https://t.co/R0dkFEl8HV
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) August 31, 2020

Brandon Ingram is NBA's Most Improved Player.

Last season:
18.3 PPG
5.1 RPG
3.0 APG
31 3PM

This season:
23.8 PPG
6.1 RPG
4.2 APG
150 3PM pic.twitter.com/9M1bN5QUyy
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 31, 2020