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October 25 - November 1
Zach Collins, Portland Trail Blazers: 11.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 BPG in 7 games played
What a week for Collins. Zach puts up a career-high 17 points on 7-7 shooting in a win at Orlando. He follows it up with 13 points in a loss at Miami, the home of Kelly Olynyk. Then, Collins ties his career-high with 17 points in a win over Sabonis and the Pacers. After the win in Indianapolis, Damian Lillard said that Zach should be considered for the Defensive Player of the Year. A little early for that but nice comments from the all-star about the former zag. Zach finishes the week with 9 points in a win over the Pelicans last night.
Next Game - Trail Blazers @ Lakers on Saturday, November 3rd at 10 PM ET
Is Zach Collins Defensive Player of the Year material? @Dame_Lillard thinks so.
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) October 30, 2018
More from @JamieHudsonNBCS on the defensive praise Collins has been getting this season. #RipCity
➡️ https://t.co/C06EHS3z5k pic.twitter.com/rCz61RB5v5
Zach Collins banks it in from the logo to beat the 1st quarter buzzer (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/EZeeklMSNE
— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) October 25, 2018
"Imagine if you stayed another year..." pic.twitter.com/V9Q1NGqqsd
— Eric Campbell (@campbelleric) October 30, 2018
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers: 14.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.1 APG in 7 games played
Domas put up 15 points and 5 rebounds in a win over the struggling Cavaliers. In the loss to Collins, Sabonis only scored 6 points on three shots from the field but pulled down 8 rebounds. Then, in Madison Square Garden, Sabonis had a career night by putting up 30 points on a perfect 12 for 12 shooting, along with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, in a 107-101 win over the Knicks. He did this all off the bench. Nate McMillman continues to start Myles Turner over Sabonis.
Next Game - Pacers @ Bulls on Friday, November 2nd at 8 PM ET
Domantas Sabonis (30 PTS) goes a perfect 12-for-12 from the field in the @Pacers win at MSG! #Pacers pic.twitter.com/byv3rSYrXI
— NBA (@NBA) November 1, 2018
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat: 9.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG in 7 games played
In Olynyk’s matchup against Collins and the Trail Blazers, Kelly dropped a season-high 19 points along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the win. Then, at Charlotte, Olynyk scored 14 points in a 113-125 loss to the Hornets.
Next Game - Miami @ Atlanta on Saturday, November 3rd at 7:30 PM ET
Johnathan Williams, Los Angeles Lakers: 3.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG in 6 games played
LeBron James and the Lakers are not off to the start they were hoping at an overall record of 3-5 but that’s not JW3’s fault. Williams played a season-low 7 minutes in a 114-113 win over the Mavericks on Halloween night. Although, Williams is an impressive 11 for 19 on shots this season which rounds out to .579% from the field.
Next Game - Trail Blazers @ Lakers on Saturday, November 3rd at 10 PM ET (Collins and Williams go head-to-head)
*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho