Author: Bon Paulo Pabuhaya
Here are the top performers on March 16 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Demar DeRozan SAC SF 41 PTS | 11 AST | 3 STL | 66.3 FPS (vs. UTA)
DeRozan had an incredible offensive game, shooting 50% from the field and converting 18-of-21 free throws to record his best scoring performance of the year. Consistency has been an issue all season, but he’s been on top form over his last three games, averaging 35.7 points, 8.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
BREAKOUT:
Quinten Post GSW C 22 PTS | 3 REB | 3 BLK | 35.1 FPS (vs. NYK)
The Warriors were very shorthanded today, forcing Post into a much larger role. He took full advantage, showcasing his scoring upside by knocking down four threes for a season-high performance. He’s certainly capable of maintaining this level of play for the time being.
SLEEPER:
Quentin Grimes PHI SG 31 PTS | 3 REB | 3 STL | 48.6 FPS (vs. POR)
Injuries have been a major problem for the Sixers all year, which has allowed Grimes to step into a much larger role. Despite his struggles from distance, he has remained dependable on offense, scoring in double figures in seven straight games while also reaching the 20-point mark four times. With Maxey expected to miss a few more weeks, he’ll continue to handle most of the load on that end.
ELITE ASSET:
Deni Avdija POR SF 25 PTS | 6 REB | 9 AST | 44.7 FPS (vs. PHI)
Since returning from a back injury, the versatile wing has remained highly productive across the board, averaging 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.3 stocks in his last four games. However, his efficiency has been an issue, as he has struggled from three-point range, converting just 4-of-23 while also averaging 4.0 turnovers during that span.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Bobby Portis MIL PF 29 PTS | 10 REB | 2 STL | 50.5 FPS (vs. IND)
Portis was present on the injury report because of a back problem but he pushed through and delivered his best game of the year. He was on fire offensively, hitting six triples to finish with a season high and record at least 20 points for the ninth time this season. He was just as impressive on the boards, notching his 13th game with at least 10 rebounds.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Cody Williams UTA SG 34 PTS | 7 REB | 7 AST | 55.9 FPS (vs. SAC)
The sophomore guard has taken a significant role in the rotation lately and has been highly productive. Offensively, he has scored in double figures for the sixth straight game while also recording the best scoring performance of his career. He has also made his presence felt in other areas, averaging 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists over his last seven games.
STREAMER:
Brandin Podziemski GSW SG 25 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 42.0 FPS (vs. NYK)
With Curry unavailable, Podz has emerged as the team’s go-to player and responded with his third 25-point performance of the month while also making a strong impact in other categories. He’ll continue to shoulder a large role for now, though consistency remains an issue.
FLOPPER:
Rudy Gobert MIN C 2 PTS | 7 REB | 1 STL | 12.4 FPS
Outside of rebounding, Gobert had a very limited impact in today’s game, finishing with a season-worst in scoring for the third time this season. Still, he should remain a dependable defensive force, especially on the boards.
