Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Difficult to retain only one player from the Cavaliers after the superb victory of the players of JB Bickerstaff against the Bucks last night (115-99). But a choice had to be made and we had already mentioned Kevin Love several times in recent weeks. It was time to shed some light on Darius Garland’s performance this season.
He doesn’t score as much as Ja Morant, his promotion mate, but the Cleveland point guard is really stepping up in all aspects of the game. He behaves like a veteran, especially in reading and managing possessions. 19 points, 7 of 12 on shots and 8 assists in 26 minutes yesterday. Despite the presence of Jrue Holiday, one of the best defenders in the league, facing him. That didn’t stop him from making him dance to this action.
???? EVAN MOBLEY ????
Darius Garland sets up the @cavs rookie for the huge and-1 flush!
Q2 action on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/L8Rrlv9ZoR pic.twitter.com/UtfoMg08UP
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2022
Kelly Oubre Jr (Charlotte Hornets)
The symbol of the Hornets’ spectacular offensive eruption on Wednesday night. Kelly Oubre Jr was “in the zone”, like almost all of his teammates. 58% shooting success for James Borrego players. And even 53% three-point success (24 out of 45). It is precisely behind the arc that the substitute winger distinguished himself by slamming 10 award-winning baskets!
Or 30 of his 39 pawns marked at three-pointers. Oubre Jr – who had had a few difficult evenings lately – is really having a pretty impressive season in his role as the sixth man. A rather ironic status since he had left Golden State not to come off the bench when Klay Thompson returned.
Kelly Oubre went OFF tonight ????
39 PTS & 10 3PM in Charlotte’s dominant win pic.twitter.com/JM9P8vK3hL
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 27, 2022
In any case, he is no longer the same player as the Warriors. He seems confident. Sure of his strength. His 10 outside shots are also a record for one who averages 16.7 points off the bench this season.
Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings)
This man is a celebrity, get him out of there! Harrison Barnes deserves better than the Kings. If he is not a star in this league either, the veteran is the only safe bet in this Sacramento workforce. Moreover, he was one of the few to have an impact on the field during the (new) defeat of his team against the Hawks last night.
28 points and 9 rebounds. Barnes would do so much good for a team. Any candidate for the playoffs or the title should at least consider acquiring the 29-year-old player, skilled, solid defender and able to integrate into any system.
Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat)
There is always a player able to bring danger to the Heat. And it’s not necessarily the same every time. What makes this team, already very solid, even more unpredictable. Yesterday, it was sniper Duncan Robinson who stuck to it by scoring 25 points on 9 of 13 on shots and 7 of 11 on three-pointers.
A performance in line with recent outings. In trouble with his shooting since the start of the season, Robinson is successful at the moment. He remains on three good matches in a row at 23 points on average, 62% on shots and 56% on three-pointers. If it lasts, Miami, first in the East, will hurt a lot.
Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
5 of 12 on shots, 11 points, 4 loose balls and a differential of -30. And the worst ? It’s not even his worst game of the week. In addition to his declining performance, Julius Randle is displaying some truly disturbing body language.