THE FLATS – Josh Okogie has started all four games since interim head coach Ryan Saunders took over for Tom Thibodeau, Thaddeus Young recorded 12 points and 7 rebounds in a big win against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, and Derrick Favors recorded a double-double against the Los Angeles Clippers, providing 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 129-109 win… That and more in this edition of the Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report.
Okogie has started all four games since interim head coach Ryan Saunders took over for Tom Thibodeau on Jan. 6 and projects to be a key member of the rotation going forward. The Timberwolves currently sit in 11th place and are 9.5 games back of first place.
Young’s big night against the Suns has helped the Indiana Pacers improve to 29-14 on the season – good for third best in the Eastern Conference. He has been a reliable option for the Pacers, starting every game and averaging an efficient 53.3% field goal percentage. Young and the Pacers welcome Eastern Conference rival Philadelphia Thursday night at 7 p.m. on TNT.
The Jazz improved to 25-21 on the season, maintaining the 8th seed in the Western conference. Favors and the Jazz are back in action next against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Favors has been a consistent force for the Jazz of late as they have rattled off five straight wins while also winning eight of their last 10 games.
Iman Shumpert scored six points and added three rebounds in a hard fought victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. The win helped improve the Kings to 23-21 on the season, good for 10th place in the Western Conference. Shumpert and the Kings travel to face the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday at 7 p.m.
CBSSports.com reported before Christmas that Marcus Georges-Hunt underwent knee surgery and would miss extended playing time for the Maine Red Claws in the G League, though there has been very little reported about it. Georges-Hunt had averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 36 minutes per game in nine games for the Red Claws.
.@Timberwolves rookie @CallMe_NonStop on facing Jimmy Butler: “I had a really good chance to learn from him and play against him.” pic.twitter.com/j0CrhOPy8B
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) January 15, 2019
Thad Young on the #Pacers efforts in the first two quarters: “We slacked off… We just got to come out second half with a lot of energy.” pic.twitter.com/dag5l6trjn
— FOX Sports Indiana (@FSIndiana) January 16, 2019
Derrick vs. Tobias 🗝#KeyMatchup | @USFCorp pic.twitter.com/ofc9o18C1p
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 17, 2019
| PLAYER | SEASON STATS | TEAM RECORD | |
 | DERRICK FAVORS, F Utah Jazz Number: 15 NBA Experience: 8 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: ACTIVE | 11.1 ppg 7.2 rpg 1.2 bpg 58.0 FG% | 25-21 overall 8th – 6.5 GB Streak: W 5 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MARCUS GEORGES-HUNT, F Maine Red Claws (G League) Number: 13 NBA Experience: 1 season Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-16 Hometown: College Park, Ga. Status: ACTIVE | 13.1 ppg 4.6 rpg 1.7 apg 43.8 FG% | 8-17 overall 13th – 10 GB L 2 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE, G Minnesota Timberwolves Number: 20 NBA Experience: Rookie Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: ACTIVE | 7.1 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.1 apg 36.6 FG% | 21-23 overall 11th – 8 GB Streak: L 1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | IMAN SHUMPERT, G Sacramento Kings Number: 9 NBA Experience: 7 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2008-11 Hometown: Oak Park, Ill. Status: ACTIVE | 9.2 ppg 2.9 rpg 2.0 apg 39.8 FG% | 23-21 overall 10th – 7.5 GB Streak: W 3 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG, F Indiana Pacers Number: 21 NBA Experience: 11 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: ACTIVE | 12.5 ppg 6.0 rpg 1.7 apg 53.3 FG% | 29-14 overall 3rd – 2.5 GB Streak: W 2 Last 10: 8-2 |
