Photo: NBA.com
Bojan Bogdanovic continues to make the most of a lost year. By replacing Joe Johnson in the starting lineup, Bogdanovic has averaged 15 points in the last five games. The week started positively against the Nuggets. In a 121-120 victory, Bojan scored 17 points on six of thirteen shooting from the field. It was one of Brooklyn’s best performances of the season. They took advantage of a rebuilding Denver team and managed to win their seventh game of the season.
The winning streak was short-lived, as Minnesota torched them 132-118 last Saturday. In an embarrassing performance, they allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 68 percent from the field. Bojan was limited to scoring eight points on just four of eleven shooting in 24 minutes of action. They responded well from that pitiful defensive performance against Toronto. Brooklyn fought hard, but ultimately fell short in a 104-99 defeat. Bogdanovic scored 12 points on five of nine shooting. The second year guard has been shooting better in recent weeks. Improved shot selection and moving without the ball is making him more efficient offensively.
At 18-46, Brooklyn is playing for pride at this point. They will travel to Philadelphia on Friday, before playing them again at home on Tuesday. In between those games, the Nets will be welcoming Jason Kidd and Milwaukee back into Brooklyn on Sunday.
With Evan Fournier suffering from a wrist injury, Mario Hezonja has been unleashed. The rookie scored 21 points on nine of seventeen shooting against Chicago last Friday. Hezonja played a career high 37 minutes, as Scott Skiles is starting to trust him. Chicago contain his constant penetration and accurate shooting from downtown. Orlando ended up winning 102-89 in a game featuring playoff implications.
Mario Hezonja has the best game of his young career
Although Hezonja was productive against Phoenix, it was an abysmal performance by Orlando. They lost 102-84 to the second worst team in the league. Mario scored 12 points on five of nine shooting from the field. The Croatian sensation continues to be efficient from the field. Instead of playing recklessly, we’ve seen more of a composed display from him. As Fournier returned from injury, Hezonja was reinserted back into a bench role. His playing time was reduced to just 15 minutes in a 119-113 loss to Golden State. Mario struggled with three turnovers and shot one of seven from the field, as the three-point shot wasn’t falling.
Orlando continues their West coast trip on Friday against Sacramento. A quick trip to Portland will take place on Saturday. The week ends at home against Denver on Tuesday. At 27-35, the Magic haven’t recovered from their January downfall.
Photo: ESPN
The Golden State Warriors continue to steamroll past the NBA competition with wins against Utah, Orlando and Oklahoma City this week, while taking a night off in Los Angeles by dropping an early day game 112-95. Andrew Bogut started for the Warriors at center in all four games and put up an efficient performance in limited time. As usual, Bogut was a beast in the middle averaging 7 rebounds and two blocks while finding his teammates with 5 assists per game.
The Warriors signed Anderson Varejao to back up Bogut at the 5 the rest of the season. However, look for Bogut to continue to pick up big minutes down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Bogut Knows Steph Curry’s 3 Pointer is Going In before he shoots the ball
Photo: NBA
Damjan Rudež averaged 5 minutes in three games this week for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 29-year-old forward continues to ride the bench as the Wolves are looking to test their youth as they miss the playoffs this season. Chances are that Minnesota won’t pick up the team option for Rudež next season after playing less than 100 minutes all season.
~Allen Strk reporting from New York and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California
