Dellavedova makes his first appearance for the Lottery Team of the Week
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Gotta give Giannis credit for helping keep the race for the league’s worst record and a guaranteed top-5 pick in the NBA draft alive, as the Bucks (11-47) buried the Sixers, 130-110. While stats against the Sixers (15-45) are certainly becoming asterisk worthy, The “Greek Freak” contributed 13 points on 5-8 from the field, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks in 29 minutes of action. Caron Butler was bought out before Milwaukee’s next game, which will seemingly open up more opportunities for Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the year. He struggled against the Pacers but still made his minutes count with defensive energy in a 101-96 lead to top-seeded Indy.
Trey Burke
Burke is lurking in the shadows of the Rookie of the Year race, a distant third right now behind Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo, but with 23 games remaining for the Jazz (21-38), a strong finish and a few more .500 weeks (5-5 in their last 10 games) like this one could sway the vote Trey’s way. While he struggled in Utah’s win against Phoenix and their loss in Cleveland this week, he played well in a tough 94-91 loss Sunday night against Indiana, dropping 16 points on 5-9 from the field to go along with 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and a steal in 34 minutes against the stingy Indy defense.
Michael Carter-Williams
The Sixers are mired in a 14-game losing streak, and having lost to the only two teams besides themselves without 20 wins yet on the season (Orlando twice and Milwaukee) this week, they ensured they won’t be catching the Magic (19-43), and the possibility of the team ending the year on a 36-game losing streak is very real. That being said, Carter-Williams had a solid week, posting per game averages of 15 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 32 minutes, and the Sixers could sure use some love right about now, that’s for sure. With season averages of 17 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, a couple wins in the Sixers last 20 games could seal him Rookie of the Year honors.
Victor Oladipo
In a week where he had to shoulder more of the load with Arron Afflalo out with an ankle injury, Oladipo stepped up and helped the Magic earn two wins, albeit against the 76ers. While wins against Philadelphia aren’t going to impress anybody, these games were big opportunities for Carter-Williams to make a ROY statement, but with the way Philly keeps losing, it might be hard for MCW to earn the honors unless the Sixers can figure out a way to win a game or two from here on out. Oladipo had weekly averages of 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33.5 minutes. Oladipo’s progression this year has Orlando future looking bright as ever, with Nik Vucevic and Tobias Harris continuing to improve, veterans Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo in the fold, and two first-round picks in this year’s draft.
Matthew Dellavedova
Dellavedova helped Cleveland (6-4 in their last 10) keep their playoff hopes alive this week (3 ½ games behind Atlanta, who are 1-9 in their last 10, for eighth place), contributing weekly averages of 7 points, 3.3 assists, and 2 rebounds in 22 minutes for the Cavs, as they responded to their recent three-game losing streak by beating the Thunder and the Jazz during a 2-2 week, which counts as a good week by Eastern conference standards. The undrafted Australian born rookie from Saint Mary’s has carved out a nice role for himself off the bench with the Cavs and has easily been more a consistent contributor than the team’s first overall pick, Anthony Bennett, who has seen his role re-diminished following their acquisition of Spencer Hawes.
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