Lineup notes from bench players & 10-day contract guys.
- Phoenix’s Jalen Smith & Minnesota’s Jaylen Nowell proved what they can do in real minutes from late December to early January. Smith averages 13.0 PPG/8.8 RPG/0.9 BPG/52.0% FG/37.5% 3-PT in his last 8 games and Nowell posted 11.7 PPG/2.8 RPG/2.9 APG/50.0% FG/38.0% 3-PT during a recent 15 game stretch.
- New Indiana Pacers Keifer Sykes & Lance Stephenson took full advantage of their 10-day deals by playing impressive basketball. Sykes was just signed for the remainder of the season after averaging 10.0 PPG & 3.6 APG and Stephenson is now on his second 10-day hardship contract following a 30 point outburst vs. Brooklyn on January 5th.
- Miami’s Max Strus & Portland’s Ben McLemore are shooting the ball lights out for their squads. Strus started in his last 5 games, averaging 19.2 PPG on 43.4% shooting from three point range. As for McLemore, he’s started in back-to-back wins and put up 16.5 PPG on a 50.0% three point percentage.
- Cody & Caleb Martin have established themselves as solid role players in this league with their efficient shot taking and active defense. Both are averaging career highs in almost every category, as Cody puts up 8.5 PPG/4.1 RPG/2.7 APG/1.5 SPG/47.6% 3-PT for Charlotte and Caleb tallies 8.9 PPG/3.6 RPG/1.0 APG/0.9 SPG/50.5% FG for Miami.
