James Harden
As the Houston Rockets continue their run at the top of the NBA, James Harden has continued to lead the way in his campaign to win the MVP award. Following a perfect 4-0 week, the Rockets now find themselves with a 55-14 record on the year, officially clinching the top spot in the Southwest Division and giving them a two and a half-game lead over the 2nd place Golden State Warriors. While Harden only played in three of the four games this week, he still put up great numbers that deserve recognition. For the week, Harden averaged 28 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal per game while shooting 90% from the free throw line.
Julius Randle
The Los Angeles Lakers still have a chance to make the playoffs, but that chance is very, very, very...very small. Currently sitting with a 31-38 record on the year, the Lakers find themselves in 11th place in the Western Conference, 8 games behind the 8th seed New Orleans Pelicans. While they haven't been eliminated from playoff contention just yet, things aren't looking good for the Lakers. A 2-2 week didn't really do anything to help or hurt their record, but the week did see Julius Randle show just how good he can truly be. Randle, who has been having the best season of his career so far, had a great week despite his team's lack of success. For the week, Randle averaged 27.3 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 68% from the field. Randle's best performance of the week saw him put up a career-best 36 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on 78% shooting, adding 14 rebounds and 7 assists along the way.
Russell Westbrook
As the playoff race in the Western Conference heats up, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been working hard to cement their spot in the playoffs. Currently on a five-game winning streak, the Thunder added three of those wins this past week, giving them a 42-29 record on the season and currently has them in the 4th seed in the West. While they haven't clinched a playoff spot just yet (they only hold a three-game lead over the 9th seed Los Angeles Clippers), if they keep playing the way have recently they should be fine, especially if Russell Westbrook keeps playing the way he did this past week. For the week, Westbrook averaged a triple-double with 21.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Westbrook also recorded a triple-double in every game he played this week, giving him 22 on the season.
Joel Embiid
With less than a month left in the NBA season, the playoff race is coming to a close. As two teams in the Eastern Conference have clinched their spots and three teams have fallen out of contention, one of the teams still fighting for a spot are the Philadelphia 76ers. Currently holding a spot with a 38-30 record, the 76ers haven't clinched it, but with an eight and a half-game lead over the 9th place Detroit Pistons, things are looking good for them. Leading the way for the 76ers this week was Joel Embiid, who has continued a great sophomore season. For the week, Embiid averaged 25.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game while shooting 45% from the field.
Taurean Prince
Man, what happened to Taurean Prince this past week? While he has been having a solid season for the Atlanta Hawks with a couple of notable performances this season, few can say that they expected Prince to put up the kind of numbers that he put up this past week. While the Hawks had a terrible week (0-4 on the week, dropping their record to 20-50 on the season), Prince managed to have the best week of his entire career, putting up some of the best numbers out of anyone in the entire league. For the week, Prince averaged 30.8 points, 8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a block per game while shooting 50% from the field, 44% from three-point range, and 96% from the free throw line. During the week, Prince dropped a career-high 38 points twice, once against the Chicago Bulls and one against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Karl-Anthony Towns
While they're still holding a playoff spot as of right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves haven't been having that great of a run as of late. Going 8-8 since February, the Timberwolves have fallen down to 6th in the Western Conference as teams like the Utah Jazz have gone on big runs. If they want to keep a hold of their spot in the playoffs, they're going to have to play better than they have as they only hold a two-game lead over the 9th place Los Angeles Clippers. As the Timberwolves went 2-1 this week, leading the way for them was Karl-Anthony Towns, who had one of his most dominant weeks of the entire season over the last seven days. For the week, Towns averaged 30.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and a block per game while shooting 61% from the field and 70% from three-point range.
Anthony Davis
Following their 10-game win streak last month, the New Orleans Pelicans have hit a rough patch with the season winding down. After going 10-0, the Pelicans are now on a 1-4 skid following a 1-3 week, dropping their record down to 39-30 on the year. Currently the 8th seed in the Western Conference and just a game and a half ahead of the 9th place Clippers, the Pelicans can't afford to keep slipping as the race for the playoffs tightens. Despite the team's recent struggles, Anthony Davis has still been able to thrive as the team's leader, with this week being no exception. For the week, Davis averaged 25.8 points, 13 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and an impressive 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48% from the field and 95% from the free throw line. During the week, Davis recorded his first triple-double of the season in a loss to the Utah Jazz putting up 25 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high 10 blocks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Now that the Milwaukee Bucks have returned to form after a successful period following the firing of Jason Kidd and another very unsuccessful period after that, they now find themselves looking to hold onto a playoff spot. Currently holding the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks improved their record to 37-32 following a 2-1 outing this past week. With a seven game gap between them and the 9th place Detroit Pistons, they aren't a lock for the playoffs yet, but things are looking good for them right about now. Leading the way for the Bucks this past week was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who rekindled the momentum he had when the season started and put up some of his best numbers all season long. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2.3 steals and a block per game while shooting 52% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Antetokounmpo's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Orlando Magic when he put up 38 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
Kevin Durant
The Golden State Warriors had a rough week. Not in terms of wins & losses (they went 2-2 on the week) but in terms of their roster's health. Already dealing with the loss of Stephen Curry do to an ankle sprain, the Warriors saw both Klay Thompson & Kevin Durant added to the disabled list as Thompson broke a thumb and Durant suffered a fractured rib. While the team managed to survive this past week without them, not having three of their best players will certainly hurt them in the coming weeks. Going back to Durant, while he only played in two games this week, he put up fantastic numbers in those games. For the week, Durant averaged 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks per game while shooting 41% from the field, 32% from three-point range, and a perfect 17/17 from the free throw line. Durant's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves when Durant dropped 39 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
LeBron James
Rounding out my list is my pick for player of the week. For the second week in a row, it's LeBron James. Following their big roster shake-up before the all-star break, the Cleveland Cavaliers have continued a slighty above average run they've kept steady pretty much all season. Going 2-2 this past week, the Cavs now hold a 40-29 record on the season, putting them in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. With a 10 game lead over the 9th place Pistons, their spot in the playoffs is likely safe, but considering how they've made the finals for the last three seasons, seeing them play just above average is not something we're used to. Despite the team's lack of major success, it has been LeBron James who has continued to be a beacon of light for the team. Even in his 15th season at the age of 33, James has continued to be one of the best players in the league and has put up the numbers to back it up. This week was no different, as James had, in my opinion, the best numbers out of anyone all week long. For the week, James averaged 30 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field. James also recorded two triple-double during the week, giving him 15 on the year.
Thanks for reading. Be sure to share if you enjoyed!
Comments
Post a Comment