Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Dec. 29, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

Derrick Favors made his first start for the Utah Jazz since sustaining a bone contusion in his knee … Anthony Morrow’s reliability is earning victories and headlines in Oklahoma City … Adam Smith is making waves overseas in his first professional season in Italy … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Following last week’s coverage of the NBA’s new collective-bargaining agreement and its “Chris Bosh rule,” little has come across the wire in the last week. For those that missed it, Sun Sentinel reporter Ira Winderman examined the collective-bargaining agreement’s newly formed medical panel and its effects on Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. Neither Bosh nor the Heat have issued a statement concerning the new litigation which will not take effect until July 1. Bosh last played in an NBA game on Feb. 9 of last season.

Derrick Favors received a huge vote of confidence when the Utah Jazz coaching staff penciled him into Tuesday night’s starting five. In the 102-100 win over the Lakers, the power forward made his first start in more than month and logged 22 minutes, the most he’s played since returning from his 13-game absence. Favors added a modest eight points and six rebounds, but continues his upward trajectory towards full health. After the game, the 25-year-old disclosed his physical status saying, “I feel good physically, I’m not in pain or anything.” The Jazz, 19-13, host the league’s worst team, Philadelphia, tonight at 9 p.m.

Marcus Georges-Hunt continues to lead the Maine Red Claws in minutes through the first 17 games of the D-League season. In his 37.8 minutes, Georges-Hunt is averaging 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists. In Tuesday’s loss against the Erie Bayhawks, Georges-Hunt contributed 14 points on a professional career-high three three-pointers. Tonight, Maine travels north of the border to battle the Raptors 905 in Ontario. Tip is at 7:30 p.m. and can be viewed on Facebook Live.

Thunder head coach Billy Donovan has praised Anthony Morrow ever since he accepted the job a little less than two years ago. Now following the injury to Oklahoma City’s Victor Oladipo, Donovan has done more than praise Morrow, he’s relied on him. And according to News OK, the move is paying dividends. Morrow has started six consecutive games and Oklahoma City has won five of those. Morrow hasn’t exactly torched the box score as a starter, but his presence has aided the Thunder. Coach Donovan elaborated, “If we can get (Morrow) open looks, that’s good for our team, whether he misses or makes them. He always provides spacing on the floor because you have to account for him.” The veteran’s next floor-spacing assignment is tonight in Memphis. The Thunder and Grizzlies tip off at 8 p.m.

Iman Shumpert and the Cleveland Cavaliers may have given NBA fans an early taste of what could be a wildly entertaining NBA Finals. Cleveland’s heart-stopping win over Golden State on Christmas Day has been the season’s best game thus far. And although Shumpert struggled from the field going 1-of-9, the guard added seven points and five rebounds in nearly 30 minutes on the court. The next night, Shumpert deposited a smooth reverse layup in a season-high 33 minutes against Detroit. Cleveland takes the national stage again tomorrow night in a showdown against Boston. Tip is at 8 p.m. ET on TNT live from Quicken Loans Arena.

Thaddeus Young has been red hot from the three-point line over the last five games, shooting 39.1 percent. On the other hand, his team, the Indiana Pacers, continue to struggle as the midway point of the season approaches. At 15-18 following Wednesday night’s loss to Washington, the Maize and Blue sit 10th in the East and 1.5 games out of a playoff spot. Against the Wizards, Young added 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a season-high six steals. Things may be setting up nicely for Indiana and its 11-5 home record as the Pacers play six of their next seven contests on their home court, beginning Friday afternoon against Chicago. Tip is at 4 p.m. 

SPOTLIGHT ACROSS THE POND

As an added bonus to this week’s #ProJackets, Adam Smith sat down with Eurobasket.com and discussed his first professional season with the Roseto Sharks (Italy). The rookie is leading his team in scoring with 25.4 points per game while shooting 54.5 percent. Smith has made more shots (91) than any other teammate has taken through the first 14 games. Roseto was picked to finish near the bottom of the league, but Smith and his teammates sit at 8-6 and in the top half of the league.

First time playing with my kids in the snow! ☃️ #BoshFamily pic.twitter.com/0nwQqAaEmi

— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) December 24, 2016

Nice!!!! https://t.co/qVRubQgmap

— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) December 8, 2016

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! So grateful to wake up to my family! So happy I get to do what I love on this holiday!!! #iLoveThisGame

— Iman Shumpert I (@imanshumpert) December 25, 2016