5 NBA players to watch out for during the final stretch of the regular season

The NBA has entered its second phase after an overwhelming action-packed first half of the regular season. It is now time when every NBA team put in the final effort to cement their place in the final stages of the tournament. Some of them try to make it to the playoffs, while others desire to generate some winning momentum for the later stages of the competition.

It is not only the teams that find this time crucial, but also the players. Some players have not been at their best in the first half. Thus, they will look to turn the tables around in the second half of the regular season.

We are listing five such players who will be drawing eyes in the rest of the regular season.

Also read: 5 NBA teams that have not performed as well as their strength on paper

#1 Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans v Golden State Warriors

As reported before by Sportskeeda, the New Orleans Pelicans are having the third most easygoing schedule in the NBA. They are three games behind the Memphis Grizzlies and have beaten Portland Trail Blazers twice recently. Further, they have Zion Williamson, who is averaging 22.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in his 12 games this season.

After the arrival of Zion, the Pelicans have been a solid force with seven wins in twelve matches. They have beaten Memphis Grizzlies- who are sitting at the 8th seed currently- by 28 points at home.

Zion is a beast on the defense who shoots nearly 4% from beyond the arc. He is the x-factor which this Pelicans' needed, and after his return from injury- the Pelicans have surely elevated their chances of a playoff berth.

The Pelicans undoubtedly have the best chances of making to the playoffs among Memphis and Blazers, but Zion's form and health will be the deciding factor. Zion needs to be at his level best in order to take his team to the next stages of the tournament in his rookie year.

#2 Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers v Washington Wizards

Damian Lillard was on fire before he suffered a groin strain. He has missed a bunch of games, and the Blazers have started to feel the heat.

The Blazers are currently sitting at the ninth place in the West, and with the Pelicans, Spurs, Kings, and Suns- all in the playoff contention, they need a winning run to make it to the playoffs this time around.

Currently averaging 29.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 1.0 steals a game, Lillard is the leader of this Blazers' group. His return to the squad will decide the fate for them.

#3 Russell Westbrook

Since Capela's exit from the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook has been on fire, offensively as well as defensively.

Going small-ball gives him the license to drive more to the basket and play his natural game. He has taken the load of scoring on his shoulders, giving Harden a breather.

If Westbrook continues his excellent run, the Rockets may end up in the third place on the table by the end of the regular season. Hence, giving them a chance to reach the Western Conference Finals and will prove that their small-ball experiment is successful up to much-extent.

Furthermore, people are expecting a Lakers-Clippers final in the West, but the Rockets (led by Harden- Westbrook) can shock the world by using their small-ball strategy.

#4 Devin Booker

A very few people are talking about Phoenix Suns' chances of making it to the playoffs. The Suns are 4.5 games behind the 8th seed and have one of the lightest schedules left for the season. Devin Booker and the Suns will be looking to grab this opportunity.

A recently turned All-Star, Booker is averaging 26.3 points, 6.4 dishes, and 4.2 rebounds a game this season. He is the star player for the Suns, and his performance in the next few games will decide the fate of the squad.

#5 Jayson Tatum

The Boston Celtics are just under the tail of the Toronto Raptors on the standings. With the culmination of the season approaching rapidly, the Celtics will have the final chance to put the Raptors behind them. However, this will be dependent on how well Jayson Tatum plays in the final stretch.

Jayson Tatum is no more just an excellent NBA player. He has transformed himself into a superstar this season. Currently averaging 23.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals a game, Tatum will be willing to put up his best show in the remainder of the season and push his team to the second seed in the East.

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