Continuing on from last week, this article will include more players. Who else is performing the best and who’s struggling on the court right now? Try to guess who will be on this upcoming article!
Kyle Lowry: D+
Lowry has been struggling tremendously in this year’s playoffs. Lowry missed a couple of games due to a hamstring issue, but he just hasn’t looked like his usual self. He is averaging 6.2 points, 3.6 boards, 5.2 assists, one steal, 0.8 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers on a putrid 29.7% from the field, 20.8% from three, and 80% from the line. As sad as it is say, NBA fans might be witnessing the last of Lowry. He’s 36 years old and he has just two more seasons left on his contract. He looks like a shell of his former self so maybe this hamstring issue is really getting to him. Either way, he has got to step it up as the Heat have lost their last two games. The series is tied 2-2.
Tobias Harris: B+
Harris has been the most consistent part of the rotation in the playoffs. He’s averaging 17.7 points, eight boards, 3.4 dimes, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.7 turnovers on 52% from the field, 38% from three and 86% from the line. Harris has been averaging 18.3 points against the Heat this series. If Philadelphia wants a chance at upsetting the one seeded Heat, Harris is going to need to step up more. Hopefully Harden can stay consistent as he’s struggled a majority of these playoffs. It also helps that Joel Embiid is back and already wreaking havoc on Bam Adebayo.
Bam Adebayo: B+
Adebayo has been having a good playoff run this year but has struggled a little bit against Embiid. This year, he’s been averaging 15.4 points, 7.9 boards, 3.3 dimes, 1.1 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 2.6 turnovers on 57% from the field and 83% from the line. The averages have been lacking and the matchup against Embiid has hurt Adebayo in the worst of ways. Against Embiid for his career, Adebayo is averaging just 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, one dime, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks on 55% from the field and 47% from the line. The averages are brutal, but at least he’s still having a solid playoff run like usual. The Heat are going to need him to step up if they have a chance at beating a surging Philly team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: A+
Antetokounmpo is putting up some solid numbers right now: 29.6 points, 12.6 boards, 7.3 dimes, 0.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, and four turnovers a game on 51% from the field (remember, he started off 1/10 against Boston in game 2), 16% from three and 66% from the line. The three point shooting and free throw shooting are brutal, but everyone has become aware that those just aren’t apart of his game. In game three against Boston, Giannis recorded an absurd line of 42 points, 12 boards, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks on 16/30 from the field and 9/12 from the line. If the Greek Freak keeps playing like this, the bucks could steal this series away. Remember, they’re missing their second all-star, Khris Middleton.