- The silly season continues in the Pick One Challenge as the jockeying to use those expected to miss the playoffs as well as players taking advantage of massive roster shutdowns.
- One of those debuts went to Ryan's selection CJ Elleby. The Blazers guard has been a part of a rotating cast of characters getting significant run in the PDX with their season now officially in tank mode. Against the Pelicans, he got the start and put up 19 PRA.
- A more frustrating 19 PRA came from Colin's selection Jaren Jackson Jr. J-Cubed couldn't find an offensive rhythm against San Antonio, missing all but one of his three-pointers. They still found a way to win though and clinched the Southwest Division.
- Cleveland could not make up any ground on Toronto in their quest to get out of the play-in tournament. In the same sense Al could not make up much ground on Colin in the standings with only 20 PRA from Lauri Markkanen in the Cavs' loss to the Mavs.
- That leaves a three-way tie at the top of the evening's charts for the trio of Lou, Matt, and Trevor. All three chose rookies on tanking teams with Matt going with Houston's Usman Garuba and Trevor selecting Portland's Greg Brown III. The latter was assigned to Lou via the Last Man In. Each had 30 rookie-boosted PRA in their respective contests.
- It should be assumed for the most part that if a rookie is the optimal scorer at this stage of the season, Lou is the only person that has them left eligible. That was the case with Jalen Green who netted a rookie-boosted 72 PRA against Sacramento. The same can be said for rookie bench bargain Bones Hyland who had himself a 62 rookie-boosted PRA evening against the Pacers. A pair of players tied for veteran bench bargain honors with Bruno Fernando and Markelle Fultz each bringing home 29 PRA for their sides.
Image Credits: Player Photos (ESPN)