Around the League: Week 11 3/1-3/7
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 9:01 am
Nationally televised games this week
Monday: Utah @ New Orleans 8:00 PM EST NBATv, Charlotte @ Portland 10:30 PM EST NBATv
Tuesday: L.A. Clippers @ Boston 7:30 PM EST TNT, Phoenix @ L.A. Lakers 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Brooklyn @ Houston 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Golden State @ Portland 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Miami @ New Orleans 8:30 PM ESTTNT
Friday: **
Saturday: **
Sunday: **
NBA News
Sources: Victor Oladipo turned down 2-year, $45.2 million extension from Houston Rockets - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/309 ... on-rockets
5 things to know in the NBA for Monday: How good can the New York Knicks really be? - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 863891002/
Power Rankings Roundup
NBA Power Rankings: Jazz remain ahead of Nets, surging Bucks; Knicks make huge jump; Heat back in top 10 - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba- ... in-top-10/
Monday: Utah @ New Orleans 8:00 PM EST NBATv, Charlotte @ Portland 10:30 PM EST NBATv
Tuesday: L.A. Clippers @ Boston 7:30 PM EST TNT, Phoenix @ L.A. Lakers 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Brooklyn @ Houston 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Golden State @ Portland 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Miami @ New Orleans 8:30 PM ESTTNT
Friday: **
Saturday: **
Sunday: **
NBA News
Sources: Victor Oladipo turned down 2-year, $45.2 million extension from Houston Rockets - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/309 ... on-rockets
5 things to know in the NBA for Monday: How good can the New York Knicks really be? - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 863891002/
Power Rankings Roundup
NBA Power Rankings: Jazz remain ahead of Nets, surging Bucks; Knicks make huge jump; Heat back in top 10 - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba- ... in-top-10/
NBA Power Rankings: No KD, No Problem for Brooklyn Nets -#5 Suns - A home loss to the Hornets was the only blemish on the Suns' record this week, with wins over the Blazers, Bulls and Wolves. Devin Booker dropped a season-high 43 points in Sunday's win over Minnesota, while Chris Paul averaged 11.8 points and 12.3 assists for the week. Phoenix continues to show its defensive toughness, putting up a stingy 105 defensive rating for the week.
NBA Power Rankings: Luka Doncic snaps the Brooklyn Nets' streak; the Miami Heat stay hot - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/309 ... t-stay-hot#3 Suns! - Phoenix is clicking on several cylinders right now. Over the last 15 games, the Suns have found their groove, going 12-3. During that stretch, they are averaging 116.9 points, shooting 39.6 percent from three and holding opponents to 107.4 points per game. It has them sitting just a game from the second seed in the West.
Chris Paul and Devin Booker have also found their footing playing together. Before this 15-game stretch, the Suns had a net rating of minus-5.2 when the pair shared the court. But in this stretch of games, Phoenix’s net rating has risen to plus-12.9 with the tandem on the court together.
Jazz to No. 1, Heat climb in NBA Power Rankings: Plus, X-factors for each team - https://theathletic.com/2402929/2021/03 ... x-factors/#6 Suns - There was some outcry around the league when Devin Booker wasn't announced as an All-Star with the reserves named on Tuesday, but the NBA fixed that as Booker was selected as Anthony Davis' replacement the next day. With Booker and point guard Chris Paul, this marks the first time Phoenix will have multiple All-Star selections since 2010 (Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire). -- Lopez
#3 Suns! - The X-Factor role player: Cameron Johnson
Johnson is one of six players on the Phoenix Suns averaging double-digit scoring (10.5), but playing the way he has in just his second season is highly impressive. We know Johnson can shoot. That was his biggest asset coming out of North Carolina. But he was considered a reach at 11th in the 2019 draft because of his injury history and concerns he wouldn’t do much more than shoot the ball. He’s been healthy so far in the NBA, and his defense as a second-year player is pretty impressive. He doesn’t have to be Mikal Bridges for them, as Bridges has become arguably their third most important player. Johnson just has to keep defending well in space, being active in the team concept and knocking down 3-pointers.
Why are they ranked here? They had a 3-1 week, and while the loss to Charlotte wasn’t great, they had good wins over Portland and Chicago. Everything is so jumbled near the top that a winning week versus a .500 week will move you up.
