Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

March 16, 2017

By Wiley Ballard

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Iman Shumpert scores a season-high as Cleveland prepares to defend its NBA crown… Anthony Morrow continues to adjust to his new environment in Chicago … Derrick Favors will miss more time with another bone contusion … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh still hasn’t been released by the Miami Heat, but his time in the NBA on TNT studios signals that he will not return to the NBA this season according to The Sun Sentinel. Although Bosh won’t be seen in uniform, fans have enjoyed the opportunity to see the veteran delivering analysis in a five-week  Players Only installment as part of TNT’s Monday night NBA package. In last week’s closing remarks, Bosh highlighted Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio’s win over the Atlanta Hawks. This coming Monday’s doubleheader features Golden State against Oklahoma City followed by New York visiting the Los Angeles Clippers. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET.

In his last five games, Will Bynum has scored in double figures while averaging more than five assists for the Windy City Bulls of the NBA D-League. After last night’s win against Greensboro, Windy City has eight games remaining, including five home contests at the Sears Centre. Bynum and the Bulls take the floor next on Friday night when they host the Austin Spurs at 8 p.m. ET on Facebook Live.

Derrick Favors has struggled to stay on the floor in his seventh full NBA season. Through Utah’s first 68 games, the 6-foot-10 forward has played in only 47. Favors missed his fourth consecutive contest last night against Detroit. The 25-year-old has battled “lingering knee problems” since the start of the season, but says his left knee felt “good” yesterday afternoon. The Jazz presently sit in fourth place in a traditionally deep Western Conference and seek their first postseason appearance since 2012. Utah is optimistic that Favors can return in time for the postseason which begins one month from today. The Jazz travel to Cleveland tonight for a 7pm start on NBATV.

Winners in three of their last four contests, the Maine Red Claws and Marcus Georges-Hunt lead the NBA D-League’s Atlantic Division by 3.5 games with seven to play. The rookie has sunk 33-of-his-last-34 free throws and is shooting a piping 40.5 percent from three. Maine hosts Erie this Friday night with only two weeks remaining in the D-League’s regular season. Tip-off is at 7pm ET on Facebook Live.

Anthony Morrow has appeared in two games for his new team, the Chicago Bulls, and has hit the only shot he’s taken, a trey in the final two minutes of last week’s loss against Detroit. The shot may have seemed inconsequential with the Bulls trailing by double digits, but it did spawn a feature story on the Bulls official website written by Sam Smith. In the piece, Morrow reflects upon his youth and his years at Georgia Tech with mentor Will Bynum. The Yellow Jacket duo is only 45 minutes apart on game nights with Bynum playing for the Windy City D-League affiliate. When asked about Morrow’s success, Bynum glowed, “It’s a beautiful thing to watch when guys get it and have great careers. It’s something special. You want to always give back.” Chicago returns to action Friday night against Washington at 7 p.m. ET.

Iman Shumpert delivered a season-high 18 points in Cleveland’s 128-96 win over Detroit on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old shot 8-of-13 from the field en route to his highest scoring total since January 2016 and his third best performance as a Cavalier. Earlier that day, HoopsHype published comments from NBA players, including Shumpert and Anthony Morrow, describing the challenges of mid-season trades. Shumpert recalled his move from New York to Cleveland saying “I just felt like they kind of grabbed me out of hell.” Cleveland hosts Utah tonight at 7 p.m. ET on NBATV.

Thaddeus Young and the Indiana Pacers continue their maddening Jekyll and Hyde tendencies entering the final month of the regular season. In their 11 games since the All-Star break, the Pacers haven’t won or lost consecutive games while sitting at a predictable 35-33 with 14 games remaining. In last night’s win over Charlotte, Young added a modest two points and five rebounds. Although still battling wrist pain, Young has hit 56.4 percent of his shots in Indiana’s last five games and averaged 9.4 points. Indiana’s next game comes north of the border against Toronto on Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET on NBATV.