Around the NBA: Jan. 22

Audio/Story posted January 22, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Zech Lambert

Host Zech Lambert and analysts Logan Bourandas, Ben Serfass and Gabe Angieri take a look around the NBA and discuss potential All-Star selections.

As the NBA season reaches its midway point, teams are beginning to separate themselves as contenders. Several players are also making their final case to the fans as to why they should be a starter in the All-Star Game, as voting ends Thursday.

Player of the Week

Ever since Toronto Raptors’ guard Norman Powell returned from his injury, he’s been nothing but spectacular. Since Jan. 12 against the San Antonio Spurs, he’s averaged 23.6 points per game on 59.2 percent shooting from the field and a staggering 52.9 percent from behind the three-point arc.

In the five games since Powell’s return, the Raptors are 4-1 with their only loss coming to the Spurs by one point. His recovery is exactly what Toronto needed and has spurred the Raptors up to third in the Eastern Conference.

If Powell can continue to play at this level, he and forward Pascal Siakam could be one of the most feared duos in the East, come playoff time.

Team of the Week

Coming into the season, the outlook wasn’t great for the Indiana Pacers, as their star, Victor Oladipo, was slated to be out until the All-Star break. However, thanks to great seasons from players like forwards Domantas Sabonis and T.J. Warren, in addition to guard Malcom Brogdon, Indiana has managed to stay right in the thick of the Eastern Conference.

Last Week, the Pacers knocked off two playoff teams in the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets, as well as beating the Minnesota Timberwolves twice. They currently sit at sixth in the East, only a half game behind the Sixers and two-and-a-half games behind the second seeded Miami Heat.

With Oladipo’s return right on the horizon, the Pacers are poised to make a late push to the top of the Eastern Conference standings and put together a run in the postseason.

Injury News

Oladipo is slated to return to action Jan. 29 against the Bulls as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. He has been out since January 2019 with a ruptured quad tendon.

New Orleans Pelicans’ forward Zion Williamson will make his long awaited debut on Wednesday against the Spurs. The first overall pick in the 2019 draft has been sidelined all season, but averaged 23.3 points on 71 percent shooting in the preseason.

Point guard Stephen Curry will make his return to action for the Warriors March 1 as reported by Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. Curry had surgery on his left hand Nov. 1.

Upcoming Games

Wednesday’s slate includes the 76ers heading to Toronto for a meeting with the Raptors, as well as the struggling Rockets hosting the Nuggets.

Friday has the game of the week when the Los Angeles Clippers head to South Beach to take on Jimmy Butler and the Heat.

The Lakers will take on the Sixers in Philadelphia on Saturday, and the Nuggets and Rockets will match back up on Sunday, this time in Denver.

Zech Lambert is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zbl5146@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Zech Lambert's photo

Zech Lambert

Senior / Broadcast journalism

Zech is a senior from Northampton, Pennsylvania. He is a football insider for CommRadio. He is also a co-host on the weekly talk show Ducks on the Pond, while also doing play-by-play for CommRadio and B1G+. On top of that, Zech is a sports editor at the Daily Collegian. Over the summer, he interned with the Charlottesville Tom Sox of the Valley Baseball League doing play-by-play, among other media roles. To contact him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You can also tweet him @Zech_Lambert with any random thoughts or just to have some sports banter.

Logan Bourandas's photo

Logan Bourandas

Third-Year / Broadcast Journalism

Logan Bourandas is a third-year broadcast journalism major from Long Island, NY. He is a the news director for CommRadio and the host of Ducks on the Pond, which is an all-baseball talk show on CommRadio. He is also a sports writer, broadcaster and podcaster for CommRadio. He got his start as the station manager for his high school radio station WPOB in his hometown of Plainview, NY, where he hosted numerous radio shows and was involved in sports broadcasts. You can contact him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).