Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report

Dec. 7, 2017

THE FLATS – “Do-it-all big man” Thaddeus Young leads Pacers to back-to-back victories with near-double-doubles … Jarrett Jack records second double-double of season in big win over Memphis … Derrick Favors leads Jazz to 4-1 stretch with two double-doubles … Iman Shumpert undergoes successful knee surgery … Marcus Georges-Hunt’s Wolves move up to fourth in the West … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report.

The Utah Jazz are 4-1 in their last five games with Derrick Favors leading the way with two double-doubles in that same span. In a 126-108 victory over the Clippers, Favors tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds before downing New Orleans the next night at home with 18 points and 11 rebounds. With the offense running consistently through the big man, Favors has also accumulated 16 assists in the last five games and just four turnovers. On playing this well after seven years in the league, he said, “I’m going to continue to play at this level. Rebounding, defending the paint and being able to provide offense. I have a chip on my shoulder, I could sense people were writing me off … Don’t write me off just yet.”

Marcus Georges-Hunt hasn’t seen action since a brief appearance in the Timberwolves 120-102 victory over the New Orleans as Minnesota continues to roll. Going 3-2 over the last five games, the Wolves improved to a 15-11 overall record, currently ranking fourth in the Western Conference (5.0 GB).

In the midst of a 1-3 stretch, Jarrett Jack gave the New York Knicks an impressive 10 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in the 99-88 win over Memphis on Wednesday night. The veteran point guard now has two double-doubles on the year and three double-digit assist games through his 22 appearances this season. On becoming a leader for the team, Jack said he realized early he had “to sacrifice for the betterment of everybody and it’s been productive for us. I’m all good with just setting the table, understanding my role and knowing what’s been great and positive for the team.”

Knicks Blog: Jack plays a classic brand of savvy, subtle, and clever offense, a style he’s honed over the course of his 14 year career.

After battling a nagging knee injury over the last month, Iman Shumpert underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Dec. 1, the Cavaliers announced, and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Shumpert had missed the five of the previous six games due to fluid buildup in the knee and, after re-evaluation, it was determined that he would need the procedure.

Thaddeus Young continues to drive the bus for the Pacers as they go 3-2 over their last five games. After a 12-point, seven-rebound outing in a five-point loss to Toronto, Indiana rattled off back-to-back victories against New York and Chicago behind Young. He finished with 20 points and six rebounds against the Knicks – shooting 81.8 percent from the field – and fell one rebound shy of a double-double against the Bulls with 10 points and nine boards. Young continues to be the “do-it-all big man the Indiana Pacers need.”

Pacers.com: Young Creates His Own Opportunities