Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Dec. 24, 2015

By Wiley Ballard

– It’s rare to hit a game-tying three-pointer or posterize one of the NBA’s top rim protectors, but Thaddeus Young and Chris Bosh did just that this past week. But as impressive as those feats were, Iman Shumpert stole the spotlight after delivering his daughter, Iman Shumpert Jr., in his own home earlier this week with his only assistance coming from an EMS dispatcher. All of that and more can be found in this week’s basketball edition of Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh – Tuesday night marked the 13th time in 27 games this season that Chris Bosh scored at least 20 points, but this dunk over DeAndre Jordan was the first of its kind this year from the 12-year veteran. The Heat ultimately lost the game, but sit just one game out of second place in a surprisingly deep Eastern Conference. Miami hosts New Orleans on Christmas Day at noon on ESPN, but in the meantime Bosh made sure to wish everyone a Merry Christmas earlier this week.

Derrick Favors – Utah snapped a four-game losing streak this past week after defeating Denver on Friday and adding another win against Phoenix on Monday. The win streak was short-lived as the NBA’s titanic world-beaters, Golden State, thumped the Jazz 103-85 last night. Favors added 17 points and nine boards in the loss and still ranks in the NBA’s top ten in Player Efficiency Rating. Utah returns home Saturday night to face the Clippers at 9 p.m.

Jarrett Jack – Although Brooklyn snapped a five-game losing streak on Monday night against Chicago, the Nets still sit 8.5 games out of a playoff spot with an 8-21 record. Individually, Jarrett Jack continues to play a pivotal role and leads the team in assists with 7.1 per game. Jack logged a season-high 45 minutes in a heartbreaking 119-118 overtime loss to Dallas. Next, the Nets host the Wizards on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Anthony Morrow – The Oklahoma City Thunder boast a record of 20-9, but are struggling to match the breakneck pace set by Golden State and San Antonio in the West. Oklahoma City sits four games behind San Antonio and 7.5 games behind Golden State. Meanwhile Anthony Morrow’s best performance of the week came last Saturday as he added 10 points in the Thunder’s 118-78 blowout of the Lakers. Oklahoma City hosts Chicago at 2:30 p.m. on ABC on Christmas Day.

Iman Shumpert – Staying healthy has been a challenge for Iman Shumpert this season. The guard spent three months rehabbing from wrist surgery and just recently returned following a groin injury, but those hurdles are common for NBA players. Shumpert, however, faced a nearly unprecedented challenge last week when he delivered his first child in the bathroom of his own home. The 25-year-old called it “the best assist I’ve ever recorded in my life.”

On the court Shumpert added eight points, four rebounds and two blocks in Cleveland’s win over New York last night. The Cavaliers, winners of six in a row, return to Oracle Arena for the first time since last summer’s NBA Finals to seek revenge against Golden State. Tip is at 5 p.m. on ABC on Christmas Day.

Thaddeus Young – Thaddeus Young turned in a Herculean effort last night in stomach-turning overtime loss to Dallas, 119-118. Not only did Young score a season-high 29 points on 14-of-20 shooting, but also drained the game-tying three-pointer with six seconds remaining and blocked a last second shot from J.J. Barea to force an extra session. Young leads the Nets in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and steals (1.5 spg). Brooklyn takes on Washington on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.