Rajon Rondo (Celtics)-14.1 PTS, 9.8 AST, 2.4 STL
The Celtics have been hot as of late, with exception to the team’s 86-84 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night. Winner’s of 4-5 games to start the month of March, the Celtics have continued to be led by All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo. The uber-talented guard out of Kentucky has provided the Celtics with a lift and while not racking up the double-doubles like he was just a month ago, Rondo is still getting it done.
Most of it is coming from the scoring end, as he’s bumped up his scoring average with outputs of 20, 16 and 15 in his last three games. What may be even more impressive is his field goal percentage over the past five games, where he sits right at 50% from the field. Those are tremendous numbers for any point guard, but it’s a testament to Rondo’s game. He loves to get in the lane, create contact and potentially end up at the charity strip for more points. Rondo has gotten much better from the line as the season has progressed, shooting 21-27 from the line over the Celtics last five.
Boston has pushed their lead over Toronto in the Atlantic Division to eight games and appears to be clicking at just the right time. With a little less than two months left in the season, the Celtics sit as the No.3 seed but may find it difficult to overtake the Orlando Magic who holds down the No. 2 spot.
Chuck Hayes (Rockets)-4.3 PTS, 5.6 REB, 0.5 BLK
Hayes and the Rockets have essentially been playing themselves out of the playoff hunt as each game passes. Currently sitting behind Portland for the last and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs, it looks as if Houston has lost steam with only two months to go. Hayes’ play has also dropped off due to inconsistency on both the offensive and defensive ends.
The Rockets center hasn’t scored any points in the last two games and has gradually seen his playing time decrease as well. It seems like Houston is toying with smaller lineups which should include Hayes, but those smaller lineups are more athletic and can get up and down the court with ease. That’s where Hayes may struggle because he’s never been an up-tempo player.
It could have a different look to it than last year, but don’t expect the Rockets to be heading to the playoffs this season.
Jodie Meeks (Sixers)-3.8 PTS, 0.5 AST
The trade to Philly was supposed to give Meeks another chance at some extra playing time. That has been far from the case as Meeks has only seen two minutes in the Sixers last five games. It doesn’t appear that the first year shooting guard fits into the Sixers plans simply because they already have a plethora of combo guards on the team.
Meeks dealt with a similar situation in Milwaukee, where he sat behind veterans Carlos Delfino and Charlie Bell. The injury to Michael Redd was supposed to give Meeks a better look at the NBA level, but it never happened and he was traded. The same scenario looks to be playing out in Philadelphia, as Meeks continues to ride the bench.
Tayshaun Prince (Pistons)-12.8 PTS, 5.2 REB, 2.7 AST
Prince has been putting it on as of late, averaging 26 points a game over the Pistons last two. He had his highest scoring output on the season during a 110-107 victory over Chuck Hayes and the Houston Rockets Sunday night, by scoring 29 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three assists. Prince has gradually gotten back into playing form and has been damn near outstanding for a putrid Pistons squad.
Detroit’s starting small forward has battled back, knee and ankle injuries all season long but continues to rack up the minutes. Over the Piston’s last five games, Prince is averaging about 40 minutes of playing time while shooting extremely well, going 45-88 from the field for 51%. What’s so impressive is that he’s taking a ton of shots—which is expected—while making a good percentage of those to help his team in any way possible. The Pistons are head for the NBA lottery because of an awful season, but Prince has been a recent bright spot for the team.
Keith Bogans (Spurs)-4.5 PTS, 1.2 AST, 36.2% 3P
The Spurs have been playing better of late, but Bogans doesn’t necessarily fit into that equation. He did rack up 15 points during a 102-91 rout of the Hornets last Friday, but other than that, there isn’t much going on with Bogans. Most noteworthy statistic for Bogans is that he’s played in 59 of the 61 games played this season and has started 48 of those. Pretty good for someone who wasn’t expected to start for the team when the season began.
San Antonio currently sits six games behind division leader Dallas and probably won’t be able to catch up with the Mavs despite the Spurs going 4-1 in their last five games. Most would be shocked to hear that the Oklahoma City Thunder currently hold a better playoff position than the Spurs, but that’s the kind of season Bogans and the Spurs have had. They certainly aren’t the NBA Championship caliber team of yesteryears and are getting older by the day.
Nazr Mohammed (Bobcats)-8.2 PTS, 5.3 REB, 0.8 BLK
Mohammed has been battling back spasms for quite some time now and was reported to only be able to run on a treadmill as early as Monday of this week.
He’s missed the Bobcats last five games and continues to work on getting back into form for a rare playoff push. If Charlotte can get him back healthy, Mohammed will be a great addition to a team that looks to be finding its stride at just the right time.
Jamaal Magloire (Heat)-2.2 PTS, 3.3 REB, 0.2 BLK
Surprise, surprise. Magloire has gotten 8.7 minutes of playing during the Heat’s last three games and has been able to produce while out on the floor. During a 100-94 victory over the Hawks last Saturday, Magloire chipped in with five points and four rebounds in 11 minutes of action.
He won’t put up the kind of numbers he used to, but he provides the Heat with another big body to matchup against the Eastern Conference’s best. Magloire could be used more often as the season winds down to give other players on the team some rest going into the playoffs.
Randolph Morris (Hawks)-2.3 PTS, 1.3 REB
Morris continues to ride the bench for one of the better teams in the NBA, as the Hawks push towards a top-4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
He hasn’t seen any playing time in the team’s last five games, which isn’t really any surprise. Atlanta has more serviceable, experienced big men on the team and will go with those guys over Morris who hasn’t quite found his niche in the NBA. Maybe someday.
Kelenna Azubuike (Warriors)-injured
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