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In his last five games, DeRozan averaged 31.6 points per game and made at least 10 field goals in four consecutive contests. The 33-year-old mid-range specialist has been one of the most clutch players in the league, averaging 4.3 points per game and 47.4% from the field in clutch situations. It’s been an up-and-down year for the Bulls as the team’s dealt with myriad injuries-including DeRozan’s untimely hamstring ailment prior to the All-Star game-but their star forward’s return to the lineup has the team surging at the right time. DeMar DeRozan, Forward, Chicago Bulls: 88 OVR (+1) Let’s review how the trio are influencing their respective teams and their NBA 2K23 rating.
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Without their contributions in some pivotal matchups, the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers respectively would be mere play-in game hopefuls. Over the last two weeks, DeMar DeRozan, Walker Kessler, and Austin Reaves have stood out with impactful performances that have kept their team’s postseason hopes alive. The NBA Regular Season is coming down to the wire with roughly 10 games remaining-both the Eastern and Western Conferences could experience some major shifts in the standings before the Playoffs, especially between the 6 and 10 seeds. If the Pelicans somehow manage to earn the 8 seed, they’ll be a first-round challenge for the Denver Nuggets.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO VS JOEL EMBIID STATS PLUS
Over the past two weeks, Ingram’s posted highs of 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists, plus a pair of triple-doubles. Without their one-two punch of Ingram and Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have struggled to keep pace with the rest of the league, but Ingram’s return just before the All-Star break injected new life into the squad. Pelicans fans rejoiced as the team started this season with one of the best records in the league by season’s end, injuries caused them to slide from first in the Western Conference all the way to ninth. Brandon Ingram, Forward, New Orleans Pelicans: 87 OVR (+1) Pundits around the league aren’t talking about the Cavs enough as a title contender Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are plenty of offensive and defensive firepower to make some noise. Mitchell’s always been a bucket, but this season he’s stepped it up, averaging a career high in points with 28.3. The star guard sat out the final two games of the regular season-earning some much needed rest-after he dropped 40 or more points in four straight games. The Cavs have been a force in the Eastern Conference all year, but they’re getting hot at the right time, especially Mitchell. Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers: 92 OVR (+1) These standout games should give Tatum and the Celtics confidence to start the first round. As the regular season came to a close, the 25-year-old registered 38 points versus the Philadelphia 76ers and 40 points against the Milwaukee Bucks-both considered title favorites in the Eastern Conference. Tatum can score from just about anywhere on the court, but his game is predicated on his jump shot, which makes his field goal percentage even more impressive. 3 overall pick is averaging 46% from the field, but in the last two weeks he’s been highly efficient with a 56% field goal percentage. Jayson Tatum, Forward, Boston Celtics: 95 OVR (+1)Īs the undisputed primary scorer on the Celtics-with respect to Jaylen Brown-Tatum always has the green light to shoot when the ball is in his hands. The suspense has been building to this point let’s discuss how it happened. While Ingram and the Pels are fighting for a coveted spot in the postseason, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell have positioned their teams toward the top of the standings.
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The New Orleans Pelicans are in do-or-die mode, sitting on the cusp of elimination if they hope to win two-straight games and secure a spot in the first round, they’ll need forward Brandon Ingram to deliver back-to-back big performances. The stage is set-the NBA Playoffs are here! As it stands currently, seeds 1 through 6 are locked in, with this week’s play-in games set to decide seeds 7 and 8.
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