Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report

Nov. 9, 2017

By Andrew Clausen –

THE FLATS – New York Knicks are 6-2 since Jarrett Jack moved to starting point guard … Thaddeus Young continues to lead Pacers in points, ranking in NBA’s top 25 … Iman Shumpert returns from injury with six-point, five-rebound outing … Derrick Favors and the Utah Jazz look to rebound after falling below .500 … Marcus Georges-Hunt sees most playing time since debut … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report.

The up-and-down year continues for the Utah Jazz as Derrick Favors continues to average 11 and five in through 11 games of the season. Currently in a three-game skid, Favors contributed 12 points and three steals in 26 minutes of the 137-110 loss to the Houston Rockets. In the nine-point setback to Toronto, Favors nearly recorded a double-double when he finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Despite Favors shooting 44.4 percent on the season, offensive woes have been the downfall so far for the Jazz as they fall to below .500 at 5-6. Utah’s next game is at home against the Miami Heat on Friday, Nov. 10.

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally had their win streak snapped at four games in a 24-point loss to Golden State. In the defeat, Marcus Georges-Hunt saw his most amount of time on the court since his debut on Oct. 24. He made his one in only shot in the two-and-a-half-minute stretch. Currently third in the West at 7-4, the Wolves will travel next to Phoenix on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Since Jarrett Jack was moved to the starting point guard, the New York Knicks have gone on a 6-2 stretch, including big wins over Charlotte and Indiana. Jack has continued to lead the offense with five assists along with six points in each of their last two outings. Through nine games, the veteran leader averages five points and assists per game while also averaging just 1.6 turnovers. Coming off a 112-99 loss to the Magic in Orlando – with Kristaps Porzingis held out due to an ankle injury – the Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden to host Sacramento on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Iman Shumpert returned from getting treatment for soreness in his right knee after four games, logging 19 minutes in the 124-119 victory over Milwaukee. In his return, Shumpert went 3-for-3 for six points, also grabbing five rebounds in the short stint. The win is just the second in the last seven for the Cleveland Cavaliers, a stretch that’s included four-straight losses at one point. Shumpert’s return is a welcome sight for the Cavs, as they head into a difficult stretch of the season, playing Houston, Dallas, New York and Charlotte in four-straight road games. The Knicks begin at the Rockets on Thursday, Nov. 9 where Shumpert is expected to return to the starting lineup.

Currently considered the “glue that holds the Indiana Pacers together,” Thaddeus Young continues to lead the Pacers with effort plays during the current four-game skid. Ranking in the top 25, Young is averaging 16 points per game and 17.6 points/game in the last five games. After his 26-point outburst against Cleveland, he’s gone on to score more than 15 points in three out of his next four games, including 18 against the Knicks in a seven-point loss. Still hovering around six rebounds per game and better than 50 percent shooting, Young is getting it done on both sides of the ball, but will need help if the Pacers hope to turn their current situation around. The Pacers head to Chicago on Friday, Nov. 10 before returning home to host the Rockets on Nov. 12.