Nikola Vucevic
As one of the many teams in the Eastern Conference out of playoff contention, the Orlando Magic have nothing left to compete for and are basically just determining what pick they have in the draft. After a 0-2 week which contributed to their now 23-54 record on the season, the Magic now hold the fourth worst record in the entire league which, in a solid draft class, could help them big time in the future. While they had a rough week, Nikola Vucevic was still able to shine despite the team's lack of success. For the week, Vucevic averaged 18 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4 assists and a block per game while shooting 43% from the field and a perfect 3/3 from the free throw line.
Nikola Jokic
Vucevic wasn't the only Nikola who had a strong outing this past week. As the Denver Nuggets continue to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, Nikola Jokic put up some of the best numbers in the entire league. While the Nuggets' 1-2 outing didn't help their chances of making the playoffs (43-35 on the season, ninth in the West, half a game behind the New Orleans Pelicans), Jokic's stat line for the week cannot go unnoticed. For the week, Jokic averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 46% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line.
Andre Drummond
The Eastern Conference playoff race is all but over right now. With seven teams having clinched playoff berths six teams out of playoff contention, only one spot remains open and only two teams remain in contention. One of those teams is the Detroit Pistons. Currently in 9th place in the East with a 37-40 record on the year, the Pistons are five and a half games behind the 8th seed Milwaukee Bucks. Things aren't looking good for the Pistons, but if they keep up their winning ways, they'll have a shot. A 3-0 outing this past week can be contributed to the great play of Andre Drummond. For the week, Drummond averaged 20.3 points, 19.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field. Drummond grabbed over 15 rebounds in all three game he played this week, including grabbing 23 in a win over the Washington Wizards, adding 24 points and 4 assists along the way.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
If the Detroit Pistons want to make it into the playoffs, then they'll have to outplay the Milwaukee Bucks over the next week. The Bucks, however, showed no signs of slowing down as they went 3-1 over the last week. As long as they don't suffer a major collapse with only a week left in the season, they should have the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference locked up considering their five and a half-game lead over the Pistons. Leading the for the Bucks during their strong week was Giannis Antetokounmpo. For the week, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the field and 67% from three-point range.
Damian Lillard
Despite being at the tail end of the season, the Western Conference playoff race is nowhere near as tight as the Eastern Conference's playoff race. With only three teams having locked down playoff berths, five spots are still up for grabs and seven teams are still in contention. However, one team that doesn't have to worry about that playoff race anymore is the Portland Trail Blazers, who have a clinched a playoff spot with a 48-30 record. A perfect 3-0 outing this past week certainly helped, and they can thank Damian Lillard for that. For the week, Lillard averaged 27.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field and 95% from the free throw line. Lillard's best performance of the week came in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans when he dropped 41 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.
Anthony Davis
Unlike the Trail Blazers, a team that is nowhere near safe right now is the New Orleans Pelicans. While they currently hold a 43-34 record and the 8th seed in the Western Conference, they hold just a half-game lead over the 9th place Denver Nuggets. And if they keep playing the way they have recently (0-2 this past week, currently on a four-game losing streak), that spot could slip away from them very quickly. However, if Anthony Davis keeps playing the way he did this past week, they should be fine. For the week, Davis averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 4 blocks per game while shooting 49% from the field and a perfect 10/10 from the free throw line. Davis' best performance of the week came in a loss to the Trail Blazers when he recorded 36 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocks.
James Harden
The Houston Rockets have been red-hot all season long, and now that they have cemented their place at the top of the Western Conference with a 63-15 record, there is nothing left for them to achieve this season except for an NBA Championship. They haven't started coasting just yet, as a 2-0 outing this past week shows. Leading the way for the Rockets this past week (and for the entire season) was James Harden, who after leading a team to the best record in the league is more than deserving of the MVP, especially with his stat line. For the week, Harden averaged 23 points, 9 rebounds, 12.5 assists, and 2 steals per game. Harden's best performance of the week saw him drop a triple-double in a win over the Atlanta Hawks, recording 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists, giving him his fourth triple-double of the year.
Russell Westbrook
Speaking of triple-doubles, Mr. Triple-Double himself Russell Westbrook had a stellar week for himself as the Oklahoma City Thunder attempt to clinch a playoff berth. Currently holding a 45-34 record on the season and sitting in the 6th seed in the Western Conference, a 0-3 outing this past week did them no favors, as they now only hold a game and a half lead over the 9th place Denver Nuggets. Despite the team's struggles, Westbrook was able to have a solid week for himself. For the week, Westbrook averaged 25 points, 9.3 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals per game while shooting 33% from three-point range. Westbrook's best performance of the week came in a loss to the Denver Nuggets when he put up 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists.
LeBron James
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a had a major up-and-down season this year, as they've gone through rough patches and had great runs throughout the season. As of right now, they're on a hot streak, as they've gone 10-2 over their last 12 games and are currently on a four-game win streak. With a playoff spot already locked down with a 48-30 record, the Cavaliers have nothing to worry about until the playoffs. Still, they've started coasting yet, as they went 3-1 this past week. Leading the way for the team was LeBron James of course, as he continues to make his case as to why he should be the MVP. For the week, James averaged 30.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists while shooting 54% from the field. James' best performance of the week came in a win over the Charlotte Hornets when he recorded 41 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns
And rounding out my list is my pick for the player of the week. For the first time this season, it's Karl-Anthony Towns. While the Minnesota Timberwolves are currently holding the 7th seed in the Western Conference with a 44-34 record, they are by no means in the clear. Holding just a one-game lead over the 9th place Denver Nuggets, a rather mediocre run over the last few months (12-12 since the start of March) has not helped them at all, as their spot in the playoffs is still very much up for grabs. A 2-1 outing this past week certainly helped their record, but they're still on the bubble. However, if Towns keeps up good work like he did this past week, they should be fine. For the week, Towns averaged 30.7 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 49% from the field and 47% from three-point range. Towns' best performance of the week (a performance Ben Simmons called beforehand, by the way) was easily his incredible 56 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists outing in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. Those 56 points were not only a career-high for Towns but a Timberwolves' franchise record, surpassing Mo Williams 52 point outing in 2015.
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