University of North Carolina Athletics
NBA Update, March 28
March 29, 2011 | Men's Basketball
March 28, 2011
by Kevin Chandler, UNC Athletic Communications
Raymond Felton, Denver Nuggets- The point guard played 33 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's win over the Spurs, recording 18 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal. The Nuggets have won three straight and are currently in fifth place in the Western Conference and are in a good position to make a run in the playoffs. Denver will play in a nationally televised game on Sunday at L.A. Lakers at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks- The starting small forward exploded for 31 points and seven rebounds on Sunday night against Cleveland. The Hawks are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference heading into the last two weeks of the season. Atlanta will play in a nationally televised game on Friday against Boston at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN.
Vince Carter, Phoenix Suns- The starting shooting guard had 17 points in a losing effort on Tuesday against the Lakers and 13 points in a winning effort the following night against Toronto. However, he battled an illness later in the week and saw limited playing time in the Suns' other two games. Phonix will play in a nationally televised game on Sunday at San Antonio at 1:00 p.m. on ABC.
Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana Pacers- The starting power forward averaged 13.75 points and 7.5 rebounds in four games this past week. He continues to be productive when given the opportunity, but Head Coach Frank Vogel said he plans to split minutes between Hansbrough and former college foe Josh McRoberts. The Pacers are currently in eighth place and hold the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets- The point guard averaged 17.3 points and seven assists in three games this past week and in thirty minutes of action Wednesday night in a win against San Antonio, Lawson had an impressive zero turnovers. With fellow former Tar Heel Raymond Felton, the Nuggets have one of the best, if not the best, point guard one-two punch in the league. Denver will play in a nationally televised game on Sunday at L.A. Lakers at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Wayne Ellington, Minnesota Timberwolves- The backup shooting guard had eight points and two assists in 21 minutes of action on Thursday against Dallas. Minnesota has dropped seven straight.
Antawn Jamison, Cleveland Cavaliers- Cavaliers Head Coach Byron Scott officially declared Jamison is done for the season.
Brendan Haywood, Dallas Mavericks- The back-up center scored four points and added two rebounds in 16 minutes of action Thursday in a winning effort against Minnesota. Haywood has been in-and-out of the lineup and his playing time continues to inconsistent. The Spurs are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference and are once again in a good position to make a run at the NBA Finals. Dallas will play in a nationally televised game on Thursday at L.A. Lakers at 10:30 p.m. on TNT.
Brandan Wright, New Jersey Nets- The power forward Wright played 14 minutes on Wednesday, scoring five points, with seven rebounds and a block. This was the most game action Wright has gotten in over a month. The fact that he was still able to moderately fill the stat sheet in his limited playing time speaks to his potential.
Ed Davis, Toronto Raptors- The back-up power forward had 21 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a steal in Saturday's loss to the Clippers, and had a combined 39 points and 22 rebounds in his last two games. With Andrea Bargnani and Reggie Evans out of the lineup, Davis took advantage of his opportunity to prove he can be a factor.
Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs- The small forward did not see any playing time this past week. The Spurs have dropped three straight, but are currently in first place in the Western Conference and have the best record in the league. San Antonio will play in a nationally televised game on Thursday against Boston at 8:00 p.m. on TNT and on Sunday against Phoenix at 1:00 p.m. on ABC.
