NBA Who’s Hot, Who’s Not: Kawhi Keeps Cookin’, Teammate George Struggling

Eastern Conference Who’s Hot

1. Jaden Ivey – The Pistons have quietly won three of their last seven, including a comeback win at Sacramento on Wednesday. Ivey is a big reason for their push toward respectability. The second-year guard scored a career-high 37 points in the victory over the Kings, and over the last four games he’s averaging 24.3 points on 60% shooting. In Ivey and Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have a strong young backcourt with loads of potential.
2. Brandon Miller – This surging rookie was here a couple of weeks ago and he’s only gotten better, seemingly. A 35-point effort against the Lakers earlier this week made him the first Hornets rookie to put up at least 30 points in consecutive games. He followed that up with 20 points vs Toronto on Wednesday, his 10th 20-point game in the last 12.
3. Onyeka Okongwu – We love showcasing some support pieces, in this case, a Hawks reserve who has been putting up big numbers. Actually, Okongwu has started the last two games due to various injuries. It’s all part of a six-game streak of double-digit efforts, during which he’s shot 75% from the floor while making 7 of 12 3-pointers. There could be some interesting Okongwu items to put on your NBA bet slip when Atlanta visits Philadelphia on Friday.

Western Conference Who’s Hot

1. Kawhi Leonard – He had a slow night in a loss to New Orleans on Wednesday (15 points, 4-10 FG), but this guy really should get some more MVP buzz. He just might be a shrewd bet online in that capacity. Prior to the Pelicans game, Leonard had a six-game run in which he averaged 30.2 points while shooting 59.3% from the floor. He made all 21 of his free throws and 20 of 38 3-pointers in that span.
2. Peyton Watson – Another bench piece that’s coming into his own for the Nuggets, this 21-year-old has made 11 of 14 shots (4 of 5 3-pointers) over his last two games. He also has 13 blocked shots in his last nine games (all but one off the bench) as he refines a 3-and-D presence.
3. Amir Coffey – Yet another support player and yet another Clipper, Coffey is finding plenty of soft spots with so many superstars around him. He made eight straight 3-pointers in a hot stretch in the middle of January and is shooting 60% from the arc (18-for-30) over the last 13 games, making him a great bet at our sportsbook.

Eastern Conference Who’s Not

1. Jordan Poole – He was booed on his home court last night and it was perfectly justified. The massively disappointing guard went scoreless for the first time in nearly three years, missing all five of his shots in 25 horrendous minutes. That effort left him 7-for-33 from the floor over his last three games, with just two 3-pointers in 21 attempts going in.
   

   Jordan Poole getting booed at home 😭 pic.twitter.com/84ZWezN6z0

   — BrickMuse (@BrickMuse) February 8, 2024

2. Georges Niang – This Cleveland backup was a recent Who’s Hot entry, but he’s hit a bit of a slump. After a six-game streak of double-digit games – including 33 points in a rout of Milwaukee – Niang has scored seven points or fewer in five straight while making 2 of 16 3-pointers.
3. Kelly Oubre Jr. – Everyone is under a little more pressure in Philly with Joel Embiid out. Oubre has been getting his points here and there but it’s through a high volume of shots, many of which are finding iron. He’s 15-for-46 (32.6%) from the floor over his last three games, 3-for-16 from long distance.

Western Conference Who’s Not

1. Paul George – While teammate Kawhi Leonard is on a roll, George is looking like a guy who needs a break. He shot 3-for-15 in the loss to the Pelicans on Wednesday, missing all eight of his 3-point tries. Over a nine-game stretch, George is shooting 39% (29.8% from the arc) while averaging 15.3 points – seven below his season average.
2. Klay Thompson – Klay’s been a regular here in a down season, and he’s going through another rough patch. He shot 35.6% over an eight-game stretch before a better night at Philly on Wednesday. Thompson had 3-point efforts of 6-for-17 (twice), 2-for-13, 2-for-9, and 0-for-3 in that slump.
3. GG Jackson – The youngest player in the league was sure to start having some issues once the tape on him went around. Over his last five games, the 19-year-old is shooting 30.8% with more turnovers (9) than assists (7). All part of the learning process for this talented young Grizzlies rookie.

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