March 2013 In ReviewTeam Record: 39-34 (10-6) | 4th in division, 8th in conference, 12th in Power RankingsA 10-6 March puts the Blazers' playoff destiny in their own hands. Currently sitting in 8th with a two game edge over 9th and with chances to move up further, things are looking up for player of the month Damian Lillard and the Portland Blazers.
Damian Lillard Wins Western Conference Player Of The Month Portland Trail Blazers rookie Damian Lillard has won the Western Conference Player of the Month award for March 2013. Lillard led the Blazers to a 9-6 record, and made history by scoring the most points by a rookie in an NBA game with 68 points against the Pistons. Lillard averaged 27.5 points, 6.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds during the month, and won the Rookie of the Month honors as well.
Nuggets' Gallinari Out For Season With Sprained Knee The Denver Nuggets' title hopes took a big hit as Danilo Gallinari suffered a severe knee sprain, and is not expected to play again this season. Gallinari had lost his starting spot to Wilson Chandler already but was still a key contributor to the team.
Kobe To Miss 4-6 weeks With Ankle Sprain The Lakers are among the hottest teams in the league, gunning for the West's top seed. However, they face serious adversity as Kobe Bryant goes down with a severe ankle sprain. Bryant is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and is questionable for the first round of the playoffs.
NBA StandingsWestern Conferencex-1 Oklahoma City 47-27
2 LA Lakers 46-28
3 Minnesota 42-30
4 Denver 43-31
5 San Antonio 41-32
6 LA Clippers 40-34
7 Golden State 40-34
8 Portland 39-34Houston 37-36
Phoenix 34-40
Dallas 32-41
New Orleans 32-42
o-Utah 30-44
o-Sacramento 29-45
o-Memphis 27-46
Eastern Conferencey-1 Miami 55-18
x-2 Philadelphia 51-22
x-3 Brooklyn 46-27
x-4 Chicago 44-28
x-5 New York 42-30
6 Indiana 36-38
7 Boston 35-38
8 Detroit 35-39
Atlanta 31-43
Orlando 30-44
Toronto 29-44
Washington 29-44
Charlotte 27-46
Milwaukee 26-46
o-Cleveland 24-48
Players Of The Month:WEST: Damian Lillard (POR) |
EAST: LeBron James (MIA)
Rookies Of The Month:WEST: Damian Lillard (POR) |
EAST: Bradley Beal (WAS)
PREDICTION CHALLENGE: 2012-13 AwardsThere are three awards that are simply too close to call even at this late stage of the season. The sixth man, most improved and defensive player awards are hotly contested. Predict the winners in these awards for ten points apiece. Here are the primary candidates:
Sixth Man Award Up For GrabsMarcus Thornton (SAC): 13.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.6 APG
Chauncey Billups (LAC): 11.4 PPG, 3.3 APG
Jordan Crawford (WAS): 14.1 PPG, 2.2 APG
Nate Robinson (CHI): 11.3 PPG, 2.7 APG, 2.4 RPG
Jarrett Jack (GS): 11.8 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.3 RPG
Defensive Player Award Up For GrabsJosh Smith (ATL): 9 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Paul Millsap (UTA): 10.1 RPG, 2 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Tyrus Thomas (CHA): 7.6 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.8 BPG
LeBron James (MIA): 8.1 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Anthony Davis (NO): 9.4 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.8 BPG
Most Improved Player Award Up For GrabsMario Chalmers (MIA): 9.8 PPG, 3.5 APG -> 10.5 PPG, 6.5 APG
DeJuan Blair (SA): 9.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG -> 14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG
James Harden (HOU): 16.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.7 APG -> 18.3 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.3 RPG
Kemba Walker (CHA): 12.1 PPG, 4.4 APG -> 18.6 PPG, 6.4 APG
Goran Dragic (PHX): 11.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.5 RPG -> 14.5 PPG, 9.8 APG, 4.6 RPG