Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Nov. 3, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

Two Georgia Tech basketball alumni, Iman Shumpert and Anthony Morrow, take the floor tonight representing the NBA’s only undefeated teams … Marcus Georges-Hunt begins the next step in his professional career in a week’s time … The Utah Jazz have won back-to-back games in Derrick Favors’ first two starts of the season … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report.

Chris Bosh – The Miami Heat are becoming increasingly familiar playing without Chris Bosh than with him. The power forward failed his preseason physical in September because of recurring blood clot complications. The 11-time All-Star has missed the season’s second half each of the last two years. Bosh remains adamant in his desire to play, but the Miami medical staff has not cleared him. In their last 130 games, the Heat have played only 53 with Bosh. In his time away from the court, Bosh has taken part in a mini-series produced by Uninterrupted. The piece focuses on Bosh’s tumultuous journey since the onset of his blood clot disease. The most recent episode can be viewed here. The Heat return to action Friday night in Toronto at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Derrick Favors – Through the season’s opening week, Derrick Favors’ minutes have been restricted by head coach Quin Snyder due to a bothersome right knee injury. In last night’s 97-81 win over Dallas, Utah’s big man played a season-high 23 minutes making his second consecutive start. In four games, Favors is averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. After dropping two of their first three contests, Utah has won back-to-back games against San Antonio and Dallas. The Jazz will try to take down the Spurs for the second time in four days Friday night at 9 p.m. ET.

Marcus Georges-Hunt – After the Boston Celtics signed Marcus Georges-Hunt in late August, the rookie challenged for one of the storied franchise’s fifteen roster spots. The small forward came up short, but made a strong enough impression to be assigned to the Celtics’ D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. Joining the former Georgia Tech star are Texas A&M’s Jalen Jones and ACC rival Louisville’s Damion Lee. Georges-Hunt isn’t the first Yellow Jacket to suit up for the Red Claws. Mario West spent parts of two seasons in Maine and gave Georges-Hunt some helpful advice. Maine opens its season a week from tomorrow against the Oklahoma City Blue.

Anthony Morrow – The Oklahoma City Thunder are off to a 4-0 start in their first season without superstar Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook has seized the alpha-male role in the team’s early surge, but his supporting cast has also delivered. Anthony Morrow made his season debut on Sunday night in a win over the Lakers, supplying six points in the effort. The sharpshooter took the floor again last night in a nail-biter over the Clippers. Oklahoma City faces Kevin Durant and the Warriors tonight in a nationally televised showdown at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Iman Shumpert – The Indians may have succumbed to the Cubs in the World Series last night, but all’s not lost in Cleveland. The Cavaliers are off to a 4-0 start and are one of just two undefeated teams in the NBA. Iman Shumpert is doing his part, adding 5.3 points per game and leading the team with 2.0 steals per night.

On the topic of thievery, Shumpert has played the villain over the past week. Dressing up as a menacing comic book character while also cheering on his hometown Cubs against the local Indians. Like the entire North Side of Chicago, Shumpert enjoyed last night’s historic triumph. Shumpert and the Cavs take centerstage tonight in a nationally televised battle against the Boston Celtics at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

Thaddeus Young – The Indiana Pacers are off to a modest 2-2 start after the season’s opening week. Thaddeus Young’s return to Brooklyn wasn’t exactly what the former Net had in mind. Leading 79-72 entering the fourth quarter, the Nets flattened the Pacers with 31-point finale to win 103-94. In the losing effort, Young added an efficient 19 points on 12 shots and opened up about his departure from New York. There’s still reason for Pacer fans to be optimistic with only four games in the books, especially considering Young is shooting a team-best 60.5 percent from the field. Indiana faces division-rival Milwaukee tonight at 8 p.m. ET.