Just because the Duke basketball season is over doesn’t mean that Duke players still aren’t playing. Here’s how each Duke player in the NBA playoffs performed over the weekend.
Saturday
Quinn Cook, Warriors: Cook had five points on 2-7 shooting with four rebounds, two assists and was a +8 in 25 minutes in the Warriors Game 1 win. The Warriors went with a more veteran lineup against the Spurs in Game 1. Expect more of that throughout the series but we should see more production from Cook as the series stretches on.
Justise Winslow, Heat: Winslow had nine points on 4-8 shooting with seven rebounds, five assists and was a -4 in 31 minutes in the Heats Game 1 loss. Winslow played more and scored more than his season averages in Game 1. The Heat ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday with the 76ers playing a home playoff game. I don’t expect Winslow to have much more of an impact on this series than he already has.
J.J. Redick, 76ers: Redick went 8-13 from the field (4-6 from three) for 28 points and was a +13 in the 76ers Game 1 win. Adding a veteran presence to this young 76ers roster has already payed dividends as the former Duke sharpshooter led all scorers. I can’t see him keeping up this pace all series but getting off to a hot start was crucial.
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Sunday
Jabari Parker, Bucks: Parker had two points on 1-5 shooting with two rebounds and was a -14 in 15 minutes for the Bucks. Parker had the worst game of any Duke player this weekend. When he was in the game, the Celtics went at him constantly and exploited him. We’ll see how the Bucks use him in the rest of the series.
Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Tatum chipped in 19 points on 8-18 shooting, had 10 rebounds and was a +9 in 44 minutes. For a rookie in his first playoff game, Tatum looked like this was just a regular old game for him. He showed no signs of being a rookie. And, oh yeah, he was the third pick in the draft last year. Third!
Rodney Hood, Cavaliers: Hood went 4-8 from the field (1-4 from three) for nine points and was a -6 in 21 minutes of action. The Cavs were beaten like a drum by the Pacers all day yesterday. There was really not much that Hood or the Cavaliers could do under those circumstances. I expect a bounce back game from all parties on the Cavs in Game 2.
Tyus Jones, Timberwolves: Jones was a +2 in seven minutes of burn, had one assist and didn’t take a shot in his first playoff game. Thibs went seven deep against the Rockets Sunday in what was the first game of an uphill battle for the Timberwolves. Jones won’t see an increase in minutes or production unless Thibs randomly changes his philosophy mid series.