And as the 2023 NBA playoffs get closer, many of these teams and players are setting themselves up to take steps forward. Watch out — the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the move! They’re turning into one of those sleeper teams poised to cause some damage from lower down the Western Conference standings. The New York Knicks have been one of the most consistent teams this season. Their starting five has played an astounding 940 combined minutes, 32% more than the second place five-man unit in the league.
Though the Timberwolves have been impressive all season, their play after January has been historic. They went an impressive 34-14 in that time, having the sixth-best net rating in the league. This late-season push gives them a heavy nod heading into the playoffs. Fans and analysts alike are contributing to a growing swell of cautious optimism!
The Knicks are very much asking a lot of their starting five. Their huge minutes together has really helped their chemistry and their comfort with each other on the court. That continuity should serve them well as they go up against rugged playoff competition.
Another team making headlines is the Houston Rockets, where the duo of Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun has been dominant. As a duo, they were able to grab an outrageous 50% of their respective team’s offensive rebounds on opponents’ missed FGAs. Their outstanding production has made them one of the most fearsome tandems in the league. Since the All-Star break, they’ve accumulated a net rating of plus-29.9, the second-best mark of any two-man lineup with 150 or more minutes played.
In one-off performances, a number of players have really performed individually on this season. As you can see, Jerome has exceeded his expected eFG% — outperforming every player who’s taken at least 200 shots this season. His efficiency will be a X-factor as the playoffs continue.
So too has Russell Westbrook since his trade and buyout this past summer. After the coaching change that brought in Chris Finch, he averaged only 22 minutes over 3 games. That’s a radical decrease from the 29 minutes he was averaging when coached by old bench boss Michael Malone. When he played alongside Nikola Jokic, Westbrook had strong numbers. He played at a 20% usage rate and a truly remarkable 58% TS%.
Off the court, impact on camaraderie and chemistry Injuries took a toll on teams’ camaraderie. Holiday sat out four straight games at the end of February due to a pinkie ailment. • This injury disappointment may be felt for the loss of his team’s momentum moving into the playoff stretch.
Rui Hachimura has adapted his role significantly this season, spending 26% of his minutes at center, a stark increase compared to his previous career high of just 5%. This type of versatility will be extremely important in allowing for added depth in playoff games.
Kyle Kuzma’s shooting quality has been an issue for Milwaukee. During his time on the floor, the team was in a horrible slump, allowing 12 more points per 100 possessions. This performance proves there’s still room for improvement as they continue to face playoff challenges.
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