Another 82-game NBA regular season is nearing its end. As some teams are gearing up for the postseason and a chance to win a championship, other squads will be using these last few games to preview next season and see which players they can get excited about for the future.
Deni Avdija vs. Denver on March 21
In all likelihood, the Portland Trail Blazers will not be competing seriously in the postseason this year. However, Blazers fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about their squad going forward and one player who has stepped up his play as of late is forward Deni Avdija. In a recent game against the Denver Nuggets, Avdija scored 36 points and had eight rebounds to go with seven assists.
On the season, Avdija is averaging a career-high 16 points per game and grabbing seven rebounds per game. The former lottery pick is also shooting nearly 37% from the 3-point line. Avdija has been on a tear recently, as he joined Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić as the only other player to average at least 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game and shoot over 50% from 3-point range over an eight-game stretch this season.
Ron Holland II vs. New Orleans on March 23
The Detroit Pistons’ turnaround has been arguably the best story of this NBA season. The league is better when small market teams are good, particularly a team with championship-winning history like the Pistons. Former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham is the household name on this team, but rookie forward Ron Holland II has shown flashes as one of the league’s best young players.
Against the New Orleans Pelicans, Holland scored a career-high 26 points in Detroit’s 140-136 victory. As Holland continues to grow, he will need to improve his 3-point shooting, as he is only making 23% of his perimeter shots. Despite that, Holland is still a critical component of Detroit’s success as the Pistons look to make some noise in the postseason.
Anthony Black vs. Los Angeles on March 24
After a rough stretch of games following forward Paolo Banchero’s return, the Orlando Magic have started to find their footing again. Banchero and forward Franz Wagner combined for 62 points in the team’s 118-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, but guard Anthony Black also posted a solid performance.
Black scored 17 points and had six assists in the win and as of today, Orlando is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. On the season, Black is averaging just over nine points per game and shooting around 32% from the 3-point line. Assuming Orlando is the seventh or eighth seed following the Play-In Tournament, role players like Black will need to make major contributions if the Magic are to stand a chance against Cleveland or Boston in round one.
Ryan Dunn vs. Milwaukee on March 24
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn has offered Phoenix fans one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise extremely disappointing year for the Suns. Recently, though, Phoenix went on a four-game winning streak that included a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
In the 108-106 win over Milwaukee, Dunn only had 12 points, but also had one of the best poster dunks of the year. During the third quarter of the game, Dunn dunked all over Giannis Antetokounmpo and was fouled in the process. The play got Phoenix’s crowd back into the game, too, as the Suns were able to use that momentum and earn one of their better wins on the season. Phoenix is currently fighting to stay in the Play-In tournament race and will need more plays like this from Dunn as the regular season comes to a close.
AJ Johnson vs. Philadelphia on March 26
As a Milwaukee Bucks fan who was absolutely devastated by the Khris Middleton and Kyle Kuzma swap, I don’t think people are talking enough about the other player involved in that trade. The Bucks drafted guard AJ Johnson in last year’s draft and although he is extremely raw, he has the potential to be a very good NBA player for the Washington Wizards.
He only scored nine points on four made field goals against the Philadelphia 76ers, but fans surely stood from their seats when a fake behind-the-back pass turned into a dunk for Johnson when he was sprinting down the court at full speed. It might be too early to say this, but as the future in Milwaukee looks increasingly questionable, the Bucks might regret giving up on Johnson as quickly as they did.