Grant Hill has made the adjustment to playing in Phoenix in a big way. In his first seven games with the Suns, Grant was averaging a respectable 11.7 points per game. Since then, however, a light has come on. Grant is doing what he does best, slashing to the hoop and making mid-range jumpers, rather than settling on three-pointers, and the results are impressive. The seven-time All-Star is averaging 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in his last six games, all Phoenix wins. Grant’s re-emergence has lifted the Suns to the top of the Western Conference standings and the top of ESPN.com’s NBA Power Rankings.
Line of the Week
After two straight games without a double-double for the only time all season, Carlos Boozer got his groove back in the last two games, leading the Jazz to impressive victories over New Orleans and Detroit. His 19-point, 16-rebound performance Friday was just the prelude. Sunday saw Carlos dominate the Pistons’ front line to the tune of 36 points on 17-of-20 (.850) from the floor, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. The Jazz are now 10-4, at the top of the Northwest Division and trailing only Phoenix and San Antonio in the Western Conference standings. Boozer currently leads all NBA power forwards in scoring (seventh in the league). He is fourth in the entire league in efficiency rating, second in double-doubles, tenth in rebounding, and is becoming a legitimate MVP candidate.
Injury Update
Unfortunately, the biggest NBA news for Duke fans last week was about Blue Devils that weren’t playing. Two of Duke’s best joined Elton Brand on the injured list, with Corey Maggette and Luol Deng both missing three games. Maggette’s last contest was his best all-around game of the season, tallying 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists against Golden State before being sidelined with an injured hamstring. Deng injured his back against Corey’s Clippers on November 17th, after a 23-point, 9-rebound performance against the Suns two days earlier. Thankfully, Luol returned Sunday with another great all-around effort, notching 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in the Bulls’ loss to Toronto. Maggette was originally projected to miss 2-3 weeks while his hamstring recovers, although recent reports say he may return sooner than expected.
Blue Planet NBA Fantasy League Update
The injuries are taking their toll on the Blue Devil’s fantasy league team. Duke slipped in the standings this week without three of its four best players in the lineup. Now that Deng has returned, look for the Devils to hold their ground, but they’ll need a quick return from Maggette if they expect to challenge for the top spot again.
1. North Carolina Tar Heels: 3069.0
2. Connecticut Huskies: 3044.3
3. Duke Blue Devils: 2634.7
4. Arizona Wildcats: 2515.4
5. Florida Gators: 2201.3
6. Kentucky Wildcats: 2075.7
7. Kansas Jayhawks: 1778.2
The scoring system is explained in the November 12th blog.
Quote of the Week
“Luol Deng’s showing me something that a lot of guys aren’t showing me right now. He’s a pro in everything he does. The way he shakes hands reminds me of Grant Hill. The way he stretches reminds me of Shane Battier. The way he listens reminds me of Elton Brand. Mike [Krzyzewski] always rubs off on the great Duke kids.”
-NBA Eastern Conference scout, before the 2004 NBA Draft
