NBA team of the week
By Ethan Barlow
This week the NBA was full of action (Image: Getty Images)
This week in the NBA, the league has gotten into the Christmas spirit, as some of the final matches of the calendar year have taken place. Some teams have been luckier than others, with the Detroit Pistons recording their 28th straight loss, which is an unwanted NBA record. Here are the best performers from across the week:
PG – Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton in action against Chicago Bulls (Image: Getty Images
Indiana Pacers point guard, Tyrese Haliburton is now tipped to be the next ‘point god’. Chris Paul claimed the nickname over his legendary NBA career as the current Golden State Warrior revolutionised the point guard position by running the offence and averaging a high number of assists. There’s no secret the NBA is always evolving and now the point guard position seems to be measured off how many points a player can get. Haliburton’s playmaking is the best of any point guard in the league and is why he earns his spot in this team and should earn his spot as a starter in the All-Star match in February. The Pacers started off their week with a narrow defeat at home to the impressive Orlando Magic, they then won in Houston against the Rockets before beating the Bulls in Chicago. Haliburton was impressive across the week, but sparkled in Chicago as he became the first player to have 20 assists and zero turnovers in a single game since Chris Paul, in 2016. Across the week Haliburton averaged: 27.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 15 assists and 2 steals. Despite his strange shooting form, the former Sacramento King shot: 53.3% from the field, 51.6% from three-point range and 50% from just six free-throws.
SG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai getting to the basket against New York Knicks (Image: Getty Images)
OKC Thunder sit at third seed in the Western Conference, as their superstar guard has improved on his All-NBA campaign from last season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Thunder’s main piece as the former LA Clipper will be hoping to partner Luka Dončić in the Western Conference starters backcourt but is likely to face competition for the spot from Stephen Curry. The Thunder managed wins in two of their three games this week. OKC started their week with a loss in LA against the Lakers, before an impressive win at home to the first seed, Minnesota Timberwolves, then finished their week with a win at home to the New York Knicks. Across the week, SGA averaged: 34.7 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2.3 steals and 1 block. The Canadian international shot: 61.9% from the field, just 23.1% from behind the arc and 88.5% from free-throws.
C – Nikola Jokić
Jokic achieved a historical stat line (Image: Getty Images)
Last season's Finals’ MVP hasn’t quite been up to his usual ridiculous standards this season, but was impressive across the week, as he helped the champions to four wins from four. The Nuggets picked up wins at the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets, before a Christmas Day slog-off win against the Warriors. They finished off their flawless week with a blowout win at home to an on-form Memphis Grizzlies who were without the main reason for their sudden form, Ja Morant. This game showed why Jokić is the best player in the league on his day as he performed an incredible feat, of becoming the first player to record a triple-double on 100% shooting since the great Wilt Chamberlain. Across the week, the ‘Joker’ averaged: 25.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1 steal and 1.3 blocks. The back-to-back MVP winner shot: 64.8% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range and 100% from his 28 free-throws (18 coming against the Warriors).
SF – Jayson Tatum
Tatum in the warmups against the Pistons (Image: Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA this season. This is partly down to Jayson Tatum’s slight tweak in role, in Joe Mazzulla’s team. With the summer pickups of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics now have five starters who have been, or could be All-Stars. It’s no surprise to find the Celtics at the top of the NBA table, but Jayson Tatum has matured as a player this season and although he isn’t averaging the 30 points, as he was last campaign, he has developed as a player and become the leader of the best team in the NBA at just 25 years of age. The Celtics picked up three wins from three across the week, with two wins in LA against the Clippers and Lakers but their toughest test of the week, surprisingly came at home to the record-breaking Pistons as they clinched the win in overtime. Across the week, the three-time All-NBA first team man averaged: 28.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2 steals. Despite Tatum’s impressive week, his shooting wasn’t the best: 41.9% from the field, 29.6% from three-point range and 86.7% from free-throws.
PF – Jarrett Allen
Allen getting an important block (Image: Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers sit at sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, as they picked up two wins from their two matches this week. Their star across the two matches was undoubtedly, Jarrett Allen. Allen has averaged 13.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season, but across the Cavs two games this week he turned in some unbelievable numbers. The Cavs won at the Bulls, and more impressively at the Dallas Mavericks, in a week which gave them resting time with only two games played, whereas the Mavericks for example, played five. Across the Cavs quiet week, Jarrett Allen averaged: 21.5 points, 20 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 steals. The 2017 draft pick shot 57.7% from the field and 81.3% from free-throws.
6th man of the week – Jordan Clarkson
Rookie of the week – Jaime Jaquez Jr.