Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

March 3, 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 is surging although the Jazz have hit the skids since the All-Star break … Thaddeus Young continues to deliver double-double after double-double for the down-trodden Nets… All of that and more can be found in this week’s basketball edition of the Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report.

Chris Bosh – It’s been a discouraging turn of events in the past three weeks for Miami’s Chris Bosh. The forward has averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds through 53 games, but a calf injury stopped his all-star season dead in its tracks last month. Physicians fear that the injury may be related to the blood clot scare Bosh combatted this time last season.

The 12-year veteran is reportedly still attempting to return this season although his teammates do not expect a comeback. 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 is surging without their leading scorer, having won five of their seven games since the All-Star break. Miami hosts Phoenix tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Derrick Favors – The Jazz were riding a seven-game win streak this time last month, but since, the Salt Lake City has run dry. Utah has lost six of their last eight since the All-Star break and has sunk a full four games below .500. Despite the struggles, Derrick Favors “is grooving”. The 6-foot-10 big man has averaged 17.4 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field over the losing stretch. Better yet, the Jazz can still contend for their first postseason berth since 2012 thanks to the fading Rockets who sit just 1.5 games ahead in eighth place. Utah visits Memphis Friday night at 8 p.m. ET.

Jarrett Jack – Jarrett Jack underwent season-ending knee surgery in Manhattan this past January. 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 – The Oklahoma City Thunder may have hit rock bottom last night fumbling a 22-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder have lost five of their last seven and sit just 1.5 games ahead of the Clippers. As for Anthony Morrow, the “fastest gun in the West” has not played in any of the Thunder’s last five games with his last appearance on Feb. 21. Oklahoma City face the NBA’s elite tonight at Golden State. Tip is at 10:30 p.m. ET. 

Iman Shumpert – Iman Shumpert delivered his best performance in weeks on Monday night. The guard scored 12 points, added five rebounds, three assists and three steals in a losing effort against Washington. Cleveland, much like Oklahoma City, has hit their roughest patch of the season losing three of five. Shumpert and the Cavaliers seeks revenge against Washington Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Thaddeus Young – The Brooklyn Nets pulled off back-to-back wins for just the second time this season last week. Brooklyn downed Phoenix, 116-106, on Thursday and then Utah two days later, 98-96. Thaddeus Young keyed the win against the Jazz with team-highs of 21 points and eight rebounds. This past Tuesday, Young added his 25^th double-double of the season in a loss to the Lakers. Brooklyn takes the court next in Denver Friday night at 9 p.m. ET.