Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Feb. 25, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

After a triumphant return from a near fatal blood clot scare last season, Chris Bosh has been sidelined again following a troubling calf injury…  Derrick Favors has lifted Utah to an even 28-28 record and an eighth place position in the Western Conference. The post player has added two double-doubles since the All-Star break… Iman Shumpert continues to struggle to stay healthy missing his last three games due to a sprained shoulder… All of that and more can be found in this week’s basketball edition of Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh – It’s been a discouraging turn of events in the past two weeks for Miami forward Chris Bosh. In 53 games, Bosh has averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while leading the Heat to a 29-24 record. But on February 9, a calf injury forced Bosh to pull out of the All-Star game and each game since. Physicians fear that the injury may be related to the blood clot scare Bosh combatted this time last season. The forward missed the final 30 games of 2014-15 as he recovered.

The 12-year veteran is reportedly “under increasing pressure from physicians and the organization to sit out the remainder of the season.” Should Bosh excuse himself for the remainder of the season, his basketball future would be re-evaluated in the next three to six months. Meanwhile Miami sits in fourth place in a jam-packed Eastern Conference just 3.5 games ahead of ninth place Detroit. Miami faces Boston at the TD Garden on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET.

Derrick Favors – As the Utah Jazz prepare to tackle their most meaningful second half since 2012, Derrick Favors is in prime time form. The big man has posted two double-doubles since the All-Star break including a 19-point, 12-rebound performance complete with three blocks in Tuesday’s win over Houston. Recently Favors reflected on the five-year anniversary of his trade from Brooklyn to Utah calling it his “Welcome to the NBA” moment. Utah returns to the hardwood tonight hosting the San Antonio Spurs at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Jarrett Jack – Jarrett Jack underwent season-ending knee surgery last month in Manhattan. 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 – Morrow continues to receive limited playing time in Oklahoma City, but the shooting guard added a pair of buckets in each of the Thunder’s games this past weekend. Although the Thunder have lost two of their last three, Morrow has paid particularly close attention to Georgia Tech’s three-game ACC win streak. Oklahoma City visits the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 8 p.m. ET for a nation showdown on TNT.

Iman Shumpert – Iman Shumpert continues to battle injuries in 2015-16. He missed the first two months of the season due to a wrist injury and has since battled both nagging groin and shoulder pains. The wingman has missed the last three games due to a sprained left shoulder. The injury isn’t believed to be a long term concern for Shumpert who will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis. Cleveland battles Toronto in a faceoff between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Thaddeus Young – After trade talks swirled about in the final days before the NBA deadline, Thaddeus Young will remain in Brooklyn for the time being. Young struggled in Tuesday’s loss to Portland scoring just eight points on 3-for-11 shooting. It was just the sixth time in 57 games this season that Young failed to crack double figures. Despite an off shooting night, the forward registered 11 boards and paces the Nets averaging 9.1 rebounds per game. The Nets are back in action tonight in Phoenix at 9 p.m. ET.