Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

March 2, 2017

By Wiley Ballard –

Anthony Morrow was one of several players involved in a deadline trade between Oklahoma City and Chicago last week … Chris Bosh will provide studio commentary for TNT’s new Players Only programming … Marcus Georges-Hunt’s return to the D-League included a 28-point eruption for the Maine Red Claws … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat passed a significant mile-marker Wednesday when the calendar flipped to March. With more than a year since Bosh’s last NBA appearance (Feb. 9, 2016), the Heat can waive the all-star without salary cap penalty so long as he does not appear in 25 games for another team during this season. Therefore, the NBA’s rule that players waived after March 1^st cannot be placed on playoff rosters affords Miami the opportunity to release Bosh without fear of him reaching the 25-game threshold. Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel explained this and more, including Bosh’s strained relationship with the south Florida franchise, in a pair of columns this week (here and here). Aside from tense front office discussions, Bosh seized an opportunity over the all-star break to appear on TNT’s studio coverage during the network’s thoroughly promoted Players Only series. The five-week installment will include play-by-play, color and studio commentary exclusively from ex-players. Bosh’s first appearance was this past Monday night, but he will be back every Monday this month with coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

In five road games since the NBA D-League All-Star break, Will Bynum has averaged 15.5 points while his Windy City Bulls have won twice. Over that same stretch, the 34-year-old has hit 19-of-19 free throws while registering 5.8 assists per night. Ten of the final 14 games for Windy City are at home beginning with Friday night’s showdown against the Grand Rapids Drive. Tip is at 8 p.m. ET and will stream on Facebook Live.

Derrick Favors’ sixth full season in Utah has fallen short of expectations. The power forward has missed 17 of the Jazz’ 61 games while averaging fewer than 10 points for the first time since 2012-13. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Favors was unlikely to get an extension before the trade deadline and will enter the final year of his contract with his Salt Lake City future uncertain. Additionally, Gordon Monson illustrated the challenging circumstances facing Favors and the Utah front office over the next 13 months. Since the All-Star break, the Atlanta-native is shooting 56.3 percent and averaging 12.7 points and 6.0 rebounds. With 21 games remaining, Utah sits in fourth place in the Western Conference looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2012. Favors and his teammates take the court Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Tip-off is at 9pm ET.

The expiration of Marcus Georges-Hunt’s 10-day NBA contract with the Miami Heat may have meant a return back to the D-League, but the 22-year-old also returned back to the starting lineup. The rookie joined the NBA ranks for the final five games before the All-Star break, but never appeared in a game (all five were decided by single digits). In his return to the Main Red Claws, Georges-Hunt scored 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting while pulling down 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Next, Maine visits the Sioux Falls Skyforce Friday night for an 8 p.m. ET tip streamed on Facebook Live.

Anthony Morrow was one of several pieces in a deadline deal between the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. The trade, outlined by CBS Sports, involved the Thunder shipping Morrow, Cameron Payne and Joffrey Lauvergne to Chicago in exchange for Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick. Since arriving in his seventh NBA city in nine years, Morrow is having his jersey number changed after appearing in his first game on Tuesday night wearing No. 1 (Derrick Rose’s old numeral). Morrow’s new team takes centerstage tonight when the Bulls pay a visit to Oracle Arena. Tip off between Chicago and Golden State is set for 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

Unlike Morrow, Iman Shumpert stayed put through the trade deadline last week despite being linked in numerous rumors. The forward is slotted to compete in his third straight postseason with the Cavaliers as they aim to defend their NBA title. After a beginning 2016-17 with one of his best shooting stretches of his career, the 26-year-old hit less than 30 percent of his three-point tries in February. In spite of Shumpert’s poor shooting, the Cavaliers won nine of their 11 February contests and begin March with a firm grip on the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Cleveland returns to action Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Thaddeus Young has returned to action following an eight-game absence that concluded with the NBA’s All-Star break. In four games, Young is 12-for-25 from the field and averaging 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. The Pacers snapped a six-game losing streak on Friday night and sit one game above .500 (31-30) with 21 games to go and a three-game lead over ninth place Miami. Indiana’s next game isn’t until Sunday afternoon when the Pacers host the Atlanta Hawks at 1 p.m. ET.

👻-MrChrisBosh on Snap! Behind the scenes of #PlayersOnly @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/KYkkBO2jn8

— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) February 28, 2017

Always giving back @yungsmoove21. pic.twitter.com/sWQHrjByQC

— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) February 25, 2017