In today's game, both new-generation defenders scored high-scoring performances, first Trae Young scored 41 points, and Morant later cut 46 points, and both of them scored victories. And today's matchday also laid their mark.
In today's Hawks' 127-100 victory over the Raptors, Young shot 14-of-27, including 1 of 4 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line, with 41 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds, and led the game with plus-minus of up to +37. This is also the sixth time this season that Yang has scored 40+ points in a single game, and the Eagles have won 4 and lost 2.
But just when everyone was exclaiming for Yang, more violently came. In today's Grizzlies' 116-110 away win over the Bulls, Morant shot 15-of-28, including 3-of-4 from three-point range and 13-of-15 from the free throw line, with 46 points, four rebounds and three assists. This is Morant's fifth single-game 40+ point of the season, and the Grizzlies are 3-2.
It's not entirely accidental that the two performed at the same time today. This season's Morant improvement is already very large, and like Doncic before, he was listed as a candidate for the Most Improved Player Award, but he was considered to have gone to the wrong room, and should be included in the MVP discussion. In the first 47 games of the season, Morant averaged 26.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. Coupled with the Bulls' recent lack of Lonzo Ball and Caruso, the backcourt defense is worrying, and it is not surprising that Morant scored high points.
Young, who was criticized earlier in the season, appears to have been one of the victims of the league's new rules, and the Hawks' performance has also been affected, falling out of the top 10 in the Eastern District at one point. In the first 10 games of this game, Yang averaged 27.7 points per game, and scored 30+ in 5 games and 40+ in 2 games. The Raptors' recent performance has been poor, and when it comes to Yang, who has recently been in a state of explosion, he naturally lets him take what he wants.
The fact that Young and Morant can play such a performance is related to internal factors and external factors. (Supine Braces/Hairy)