Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Dec. 17, 2015

By Wiley Ballard

– One of the biggest surprises of the young NBA season has been the rise of the Miami Heat. The Heat have won three in a row and now lead the Southeast Division at 15-9. Meanwhile after missing the first 21 games, Iman Shumpert returned to the Cavaliers last week and impressed several of his teammates. In Brooklyn, Jarrett Jack and Thaddeus Young showcase their skills to potential trade suitors in the coming months. All of that and more can be found in this week’s basketball edition of the Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh – The Miami Heat have won three in a row with their most recent victory coming Wednesday night in Brooklyn. Despite an uncharacteristic seven-point performance in that game, Chris Bosh has been a model of consistency and versatility for the Heat. The power forward has surpassed last season’s double-double total with eight through the first 25 games (including two this past week). The veteran has also found success outside the paint leading the team with 35 treys and shooting 37.5 percent from distance. The Heat lead the Southeast Division with a 15-9 record and return to action Friday night against Toronto at 8 p.m.

Derrick Favors –Derrick Favors and the Utah Jazz have lost a season-long four games in a row following a discouraging loss at home against New Orleans. Favors delivered a team-high 22 points highlighted by a 16-point third quarter, but took just one shot in a scoreless fourth. The 24-year-old boasts a 17.2 scoring average and 8.6 rebounds per game, but the Jazz now sit in ninth place in the Western Conference at 10-14. Utah hosts Denver Friday night at 9 p.m.

Jarrett Jack –Brooklyn may dwell near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 7-18, but point guard Jarrett Jack hasn’t let the team’s struggles influence his play. The 10-year veteran posted a pair of double-doubles last week in losses to the Clippers and Heat. In the one game he did not reach double digit assists, Jack led the Nets in scoring with 15 against Orlando on Monday night. Jack could upgrade a playoff contender’s backcourt as the season wears on, but for now he and the Nets will try to snap a three-game losing skid Friday night in Indiana at 7 p.m.

Anthony Morrow – The surging Oklahoma City Thunder guard the league’s longest win streak at six games. Anthony Morrow, however, has yet to find the consistency that made him a lethal long range threat in years past. The guard hasn’t logged more than 20 minutes in a game this month, but is shooting over 40 percent from the field in that span. The win streak will come under heavy siege tonight against the Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip is at 8 p.m. on TNT.

Iman Shumpert – Less than three months after suffering a ruptured Extensor Carpi Ulnaris sheath in his right wrist just before the start of training camp, Iman Shumpert announced his return in one-of-a-kind fashion (see below). Unfortunately his return lasted just two games before sustaining a groin injury. In his two games, the 25 year-old shot 7-of-9 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, but it was his defense that prompted a generous compliment from LeBron James. The Cavaliers do not expect Shumpert, who delivered his first child with fiancé Teyana Taylor in his home Thursday, to play tonight against Oklahoma City.

pic.twitter.com/KrAAWNDLVs

— Iman Shumpert I (@imanshumpert) December 11, 2015

Thaddeus Young – Young may wind up as a coveted asset in trade talks over the next two months, but in the meantime Young continues to pile up double-doubles in Brooklyn. The forward has accrued 12 such performances in the team’s 25 games and five this month. HoopsHabit attempted to appreciate the underrated Thaddeus Young earlier today. The Nets visit the Pacers Friday night at 7 p.m.