PLAYOFF MOMENTUM

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

PLAYERS WITH MOMENTUM HEADING INTO THE PLAYOFFS:

We are hitting the final few games of the season. The standings are starting to become locks and I wanted to go over which players on playoff teams are really starting to heat up.

DOMANTAS SABONIS - While the sample size is small, he's averaging a ridiculous 25.0 PPG, 17.0 RPG, 10.3 APG, and 2.0 SPG on 71/43/77 splits. Obviously this is not sustainable, and the team is hopeful to get Myles Turner back soon to help ease the workload, yet we are seeing his ceiling. The Pacers have been a questionable playoff team having lost TJ Warren for the year, LeVert needing some time to acclimate, and the obvious loss of their defensive anchor in Turner. The Pacers are likely to remain a play-in team, but they have the energy and depth to sneak into a series.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK - There was a stat going on around that if he score no more counting stats for the rest of the year, he'd still average a triple double this season. While I'm not a fan of him being the player the offense runs through, he has helped propel this team to a respectable point. Early in the season people were talking about blowing up the Wizards, #FreeBeal was trending, and all this year of high lottery prospects did not seem to improving this team. Their team still runs hot and cold, but if they can stay healthy, they could be an intriguing team to upset a giant in the East.

DRAYMOND GREEN - I think there are plenty of articles praising Steph Curry, as they should, but not a lot of love for Draymond. Over the past two weeks he's averaging 6.7 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 10.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.4 BPG. It's these unique two-way stat lines that really put him on the map. The efficiency is not there, but with the Warriors having been decimated with injuries, he really has no choice but to play at this level. With Curry playing at such a high level, it really makes the job easier for Green, and they will need every bit of his contributions if they're going to make it out of the play-in tournament.

JAYSON TATUM - There is no way I could leave him off the list. Over the last two weeks he's averaging 32.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.7 APG, and 3.6 3PG on 47/42/88 splits. He's still only 23 years old but his production is looking more and more like Durant's every day. While the 4-3 record of this span is not the results they wanted, the Celtics are starting to return to full health and are looking to make waves after sliding in the early parts of the season. Tatum and Brown will be one of the more exciting duos to watch in the playoffs and Celtics fans can't wait.

BOGDAN BOGDANAVIC - Bogdan-Squared has had quite a run. Trae Young was out a few games, so he really had room to spread his wings. Over the last two weeks, the Hawks have gone 5-1, with Bogdan averaging 21.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, and a ridiculous 4.7 3PG on 49/48/80 splits. He was the subject to a lot of drama in the off-season with Kings and Bucks, but he's now on the 5-seed Hawks and only a half game back of home court advantage. While the Bucks ultimately would be his easiest path to a ring, he's enjoying being a major part of this team's success.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Julius Randle - He continues to perform at an All-NBA level. He's really emerged as one of the most reliable options in the East and should continue to push for home field advantage. Knicks fans are elated.

Michael Porter Jr - He was tasked with stepping up after Jamal Murray went down for the season, and he's been light's out. 26.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 4.1 3PG over the last two weeks with a 6-2 record, the Nuggets found a gem with MPJ.

DeMar DeRozan - The record hasn't matched his production. His passing has gone to another level this season and he's scoring at a high rate. The Spurs are fighting for a playoff spot, with little breathing room in front the Pelicans.

Bojan Bogdanavic - I low key wanted both Bogdanavic's on the list - but in all seriousness, he's had to step up with Mitchell out. He needed to break out of his season-long slump and is averaging 23.7 PPG and 3.1 3PG with 52/42/88 splits over the last two weeks. Hopefully he can keep this up once Mitchell returns.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]

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