The NBA bubble saw Zag against Zag, Zag replacing Zag, Zags injured and Zags thrive.
Brandon Clarke and Zach Collins gave it a try during a planting match as they both received technical fouls after scoring on the other. Their rematch in Saturday’s Western Conference play-in didn’t materialize when Collins started in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
Clarke, meanwhile, was incredibly efficient – no surprise to Gonzaga’s faithful who witnessed his junior season – with 20 points out of 8 of 11 in less than 25 minutes. It wasn’t enough because Memphis lost to Portland, who moved to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs.
Gonzaga’s seven-player contingent had an interesting streak in the NBA reboot. Six of the seven joined former GU data analysis coordinator Riccardo Fois, now in player development with the Phoenix Suns, for a dinner one evening in Orlando, Florida.
Johnathan Williams stepped in for Rui Hachimura (quad) to start Washington’s last game. Domantas Sabonis (plantar fasciitis) has not played in the seeding matches, but reportedly has an external chance to return for the Indiana v Miami playoff series.
Here is a summary of the Zags so far in the bubble.
Hachimura’s rookie season continued in reboot. He had three 20-point games and three single-digit games. He started off with a bang – 21 points and eight rebounds in a defeat to Phoenix – but his efficiency has dipped in his last six games, except for a 23-point effort against New Orleans.
Hachimura’s bubble stats (14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 40% shots) were close to his seasonal averages (13.6 points, 6.1 scoreboards, 46.6%), but he had five games of shooting below 37% from the ground. This was the result of the opponents adapting the game plans, knowing that the Japanese native was Washington’s main offensive weapon without Bradley Beal and John Wall.
“They protected me much more tightly, but I learned how to operate under those circumstances,” Hachimura said. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot during these seeding matches.
“When John and Brad get back, it’s going to be a fun team. I don’t know how much I can contribute, but I want to spend the low season to improve. “
Clarke suited a young team from Memphis perfectly with a bright future. He was dynamic at both ends of the pitch and joins Hachimura in contention for an All-Rookie Team selection. Ja Morant, Clarke’s teammate, is the favorite to be the Rookie of the Year.
One of the hits on the 6-foot-8 Clarke entering the draft was her 6-8 short wingspan. The bouncy rookie quickly silenced that concern with high-flying dunks, mysterious lane floats, and an improved 3-point run. It could turn out to be the theft of the draft after being taken 21st overall.
Clarke hit double digits in seven of nine reboot games, including 21 and 20 in two games against Portland. He finished the season averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game.
Clarke made 61.8% of his field goal attempts – a record for rookies with an average of at least 10 points – and nearly 36% on 3-pointers. He hit 75.9% on the free throw line and crushed 48 shots in 58 games.
The reboot gave Collins a chance to return after suffering a shoulder dislocation in the third game of the season. The 7ft bubble stats weren’t huge, but it did a good job bouncing and stretching the floor.
Collins started every bubble game. He had at least five boards in each game and delivered 11 points and eight rebounds in a key win against Dallas on Tuesday.
Champion size was smaller in Collins’ third NBA season, but his numbers are heading in the right direction. He averaged 26.4 minutes, 7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 36.8% over the 3-point line and 75% on free throws – all the best in his career. His field goal percentage (47.1) was just below last year’s 47.3.
Miami striker Kelly Olynyk went on fire early on the bubble with four consecutive double-digit matches. He opened with four 3 points and 20 points against Denver, followed by four more 3 points and 17 points against Toronto. He had 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds against Boston in the third game.
Olynyk’s stats have declined in the last four games, but he still scored 8 points and 6.3 rebounds. The seventh pro has produced solid numbers this season, despite averaging 19.4 minutes at a minimum. He averages 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists. His 3-point accuracy of 40.6% and 86% on the foul line are career highs.
Williams, who started the season in Israel, joined the injury-riddled Wizards on a duo contract in December when Hachimura (groin) and several others were sidelined. Williams appeared in 15 games, including four out of eight on the bubble.
Williams started the final game on Thursday and finished with 16 rebounds and five points in 25 minutes as Washington beat Boston for their only bubble win.
Williams averaged 12 minutes, 3 points and 4.3 rebounds this season. He played 17 games for the Washington G League team and averaged 12.4ppg, 9.1rpg and hitting 66.9% of his shots.
Utah guard Nigel Williams-Goss got it all of his NBA first half since January 8th. He connected on two triples and scored 10 points in 22 minutes Thursday in a win over San Antonio as the Jazz rested guards Mike Conley and Emmanuel Mudiay.
Williams-Goss played 50 minutes in 10 regular season appearances. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds for the Salt Lake City G League.
No. 6 Utah opens the playoffs against No. 3 Denver.
Sabonis had been dealing with the discomfort in his left foot and flared up during 5-on-5 sessions shortly after arriving in Orlando, according to the Indianapolis Star.
The 6-11 striker earned his first hint of an All-Star game with an average of 18.5 points and 12.4 boards for the Pacers in his fourth NBA season.
