Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

March 31, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

Derrick Favors and the Utah Jazz find themselves in a three-way tie for seventh place in the Western Conference with just seven games to play… Iman Shumpert made his fourth start of the season this week in place of a resting LeBron James … The Miami Heat continue to decline comment when asked about the status of forward Chris Bosh following a blood clot scare…  All of that and more can be found in this week’s basketball edition of Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh – The word on Chris Bosh is mum from the Miami Heat. The forward continues to insist that he is optimistic about his return this season from his most recent blood clot scare although the team has done little to affirm or discourage a possible comeback. In the meantime, Chris Bosh has taken advantage of his time off by publishing new blogposts at chrisbosh.com. Bosh’s most recent posts range from beer recommendations to his newborn twins, Lennox and Phoenix.

Derrick Favors – Utah suffered a heart-breaking loss Wednesday night to the Golden State Warriors. Utah missed 16 of 29 free throws in the overtime setback, but also missed Derrick Favors for the majority of the second half. The power forward added 15 points and seven rebounds in just 19 minutes before bowing out after a hard foul. Since Favors’ return in late January, the Jazz have the league’s third-best defense according to CBS Sports. Tied for seventh place in the Western Conference, Utah hosts Minnesota at 9 p.m. Friday night.

Jarrett Jack – Jarrett Jack underwent season-ending knee surgery in Manhattan in January. Officially diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the point guard anticipates a full recovery and plans to return for the 2016-17 season. Jack’s season averages in 32 games as the Brooklyn Nets starting point guard were 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and a team-high 7.4 apg.  

Anthony Morrow – Anthony Morrow continues to spend most of his time during games on Oklahoma City’s bench. The wingman has struggled to find significant, much less consistent, playing time with the Western Conference’s third team. The shooting guard did add seven points in Tuesday’s loss to Detroit. Morrow has averaged just 13.5 minutes per game this season despite shooting 38.9 percent from three. The Thunder return to the hardwood tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at 9:30 p.m. on TNT.

Iman Shumpert – Iman Shumpert registered a season-high 35 minutes on Tuesday in his fourth start of the season, but Cleveland fell to Houston, 106-100. The small forward struggled, shooting just 4-of-14 from the field in place of LeBron James. James sat out for a night of rest, but still stole headlines with his coach-like demeanor from the bench. Cleveland still sits high atop the Eastern Conference standings although Toronto trimmed the Cavaliers advantage to 2.0 games with their win last night against Atlanta. Cleveland battles Brooklyn tonight at 7 p.m.

Thaddeus Young – Like many NBA veterans around this time of year, Thaddeus Young took a night off this past Tuesday after playing 10 straight games. The nine-year veteran has turned in another blue-collar season in the front court averaging 15.1 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game including 28 double-doubles in 72 games. Young is expected to be back in action tonight as Brooklyn travels to Cleveland for a 7 p.m. tip.