Damian Lillard
Coming off one of the strongest months of his entire career, Damian Lillard has calmed down a bit, but is still performing at one of the highest levels in the entire league right now. Lillard's top-notch play has also been a huge contributing part of the Portland Trail Blazers' recent success, as they've gone 19-9 since the start of February. Following a perfect 3-0 week, the Trail Blazers have improved to a 37-26 record, the third-best record in the Western Conference. Of course, it was Lillard leading the way for Portland's huge week, just as he was for February. For the week, Lillard averaged 27 points, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Lillard's best performance of the week came in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves when he put up 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Jrue Holiday
If there's anyone in the NBA who has come so close to making the list for the 10 best players of the week without actually making it so many times, it's Jrue Holiday. He's been on the cusp of making the list so many times but has never made the cut once. However, that status ends this week, as Jrue Holiday has finally made the list. Following the loss of DeMarcus Cousins, I was certain the Pelicans were going to collapse and fall out of playoff contention. However, following a rough 1-5 start without Cousins, the Pelicans are on a 6-game win streak. A big part of that has been Jrue Holiday, who had stepped up his game big time. This week was no different, as the Pelicans went 3-0 this past week and improved their record to 35-26 on the year (5th in the Western Conference) behind Holiday's strong play. For the week, Holiday averaged 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, a steal and a block per game while shooting 57% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Holiday's best performance of the week came in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks when he put up 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Kevin Durant
The Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets are in a neck & neck battle for not only the top spot in the Western Conference but the top spot in the NBA. The two teams are so close that, as every game passes, it looks more and more likely that whichever team makes it out of the Western Conference are the next NBA Champions. But back to the Warriors, they're currently on a five-game winning streak, with three of those wins coming this past week as they went a perfect 3-0. This boosts their record to 49-14 on the season, just half a game behind the first place Rockets. Leading the way for the Warriors this past week was Kevin Durant, who had a great week for himself. For the week, Durant averaged 27.3 points, 6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and a block per game while shooting 61% from the field and 46% from three-point range. Durant's best performance of the week came in a win over the Washington Wizards when he put up 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Joel Embiid
As the season continues to go on, the Philidelphia 76ers have been able to pull away and are closer and closer to cementing their spot in the playoffs. While they only went 2-2 this past week, they have been able to move up in the standings due to a bad run by the Milwaukee Bucks. Currently sitting in the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 34-27 record, but now have a 6 game lead over the 9th place Detroit Pistons, who have lost their last two games. Keeping up the good work of the Philidelphia 76ers this past week has been Joel Embiid, who has proven that when he's healthy, he's one of the most dominant players in all of the NBA. For the week, Embiid averaged 22 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 45% from the field and 35% from three-point range.
Karl-Anthony Towns
While the Minnesota Timberwolves still remain as one of the top 4 teams in the Western Conference following this past week, the loss of Jimmy Butler showed what might happen. Following a 1-2 record this past week, the Timberwolves have fallen to a 38-28 record and have fallen down to the 4th seed in the Western Conference. Despite being the 4th seed right now, the Timberwolves are still only two and a half games ahead of the 9th place Los Angeles Clippers, meaning their spot in the playoffs is not safe what so ever. While the Timberwolves had a poor week, Karl-Anthony Towns was able to put up great numbers for himself. For the week, Towns averaged 24.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 69% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 96% from the free throw line. Towns' best performance of the week came in a loss over the Portland Trail Blazers when he put up 34 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.
James Harden
As I said earlier, the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors are locked in an intense battle for the top spot in all of the NBA. While the Warriors have been on a big winning streak, the Houston Rockets have been on an even bigger winning streak. Currently on a 15-game winning streak, the Rockets have not lost a game since January 26th, and have gone 23-4 since the beginning of the new year. Because of their huge run of success over the last two months, the Rockets now hold a 48-13 record on the year, putting them at the top of both the Western Conference and the NBA, just a half a game ahead of the Warriors. Leading the way for the Rockets this past week was James Harden, as he led Houston to a perfect 4-0 week as he continued his MVP-caliber run. For the week, Harden averaged 29.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 3 steals per game while shooting 49% from the field and 35% from three-point range.
Russell Westbrook
As the fight for a spot in the playoffs heats up in the Western Conference, the gap between teams is so close that, unless they're the Rockets or the Warriors, their spot in the playoffs isn't safe whatsoever. And for the Oklahoma City Thunder, that statement rains very, very true. Currently holding a 37-28 record on the year and holding the 7th seed in the West, the Thunder hold just a two-game lead over the 9th place Los Angeles Clippers. While they went 3-1 this past week, the Thunder still have to fight hard if they want to stay in the playoffs. Leading the way for the Thunder this past week was the reigning-MVP Russell Westbrook, who looks to repeat as MVP this year. For the week, Westbrook averaged 27.8 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field. Westbrook's best performance of the week came in a win over the Phoenix Suns when he put up 43 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Devin Booker
The Phoenix Suns might be an absolute pile of hot garbage sitting in a burning dumpster right now, but the one beacon of light the team has had all season long has been Devin Booker. Currently sitting with a 19-45 record on the year, the Suns have the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are all but eliminated from playoff contention. The managed to snap a 10-game losing streak this week but still went 1-2 on the week. However, Booker has been able to put up some fantastic numbers all season long and looks set to one day become the best scorer in the NBA. This week was no different, as he led the league in scoring for this past week. For the week, Booker averaged 37.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Booker's best performance of the week came in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans when he put up 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists
LeBron James
While the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to be back on track following their big roster shift before the trade deadline, this week saw them revert back to the struggles they have had all season long. Going 1-3 on the week, the Cavs fell to a 36-26 record on the year, keeping them in the third seed in the Eastern Conference, but just half a game ahead of the 4th place Washington Wizards. Still, despite the lackluster week from his team, LeBron James managed to have another great week, as he has done despite his team's struggles all season long. For the week, James' averaged 29.8 points, 11 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field and 37% from three-point range. James all managed to record two triple-doubles this past week, recording his 12th in a win over the Brooklyn Nets and his 13th in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Anthony Davis
And rounding out my list is my pick for player of the week, Anthony Davis, the man who has been the most unstoppable force in the NBA over the last month. With DeMarcus Cousins out for the rest of the season, Anthony Davis has become the #1 option for the New Orleans Pelicans to run their offense through, and he has taken that opportunity and ran with it without looking back for a second. Since Cousins has gotten injured, Davis has led the league in scoring, been top two in blocks, and has been top five in rebounds and steals. This past week, Davis continued his reign as arguably the best player in the entire league over the last month, as he put up some the best numbers in the entire league as he led the Pelicans to a perfect 3-0 record on the week and improved their record to a 35-26 record on the year. For the week, Davis averaged 35.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 50% from the field. Davis' best performance of the week came in a win over the Phoenix Suns when he put up a season-high 53 points, a season-high 18 rebounds, and five blocks.
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