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The NBA regular season is about to end in less than a month, with the race for playoff and play-in tournament spots heating up. Even the race for the Most Improved Player of the Year Award is becoming more interesting.
Ja Morant looks like a clear favorite to win this season, but would voters consider him the MVP rather than the MIP? Dejounte Murray is also having a breakout season for a San Antonio Spurs team trying to qualify for the play-in tournament.
Desmond Bane and Miles Bridges are keeping things interesting, while Anferenee Simons could miss time due to injury. Let's take a look at this week's NBA MIP power rankings and see if their are any movements in the top five.
#5 Anfernee Simons
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 0, Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 57; Games won - 25; Games lost - 32
Last Week: PPG - 38.0, APG - 3.0, RPG - 3.0
Overall: PPG - 17.3, APG - 3.9, RPG - 2.6
Last Week: FG% - 44.0%, 3P% - 52.9%, FT% - 100.0%
Overall: FG% - 44.3%, 3P% - 40.5%, FT% - 88.8%
Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers barely survived this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Simons moves down to the fifth spot after playing in just one game last week, having put up 38 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Simons is also expected to miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with mild patellar tendinopathy in his left knee. It's a big blow for a short-handed Blazers team that may not have a chance to qualify for the play-in tournament.
#4 Desmond Bane
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 64; Games won - 44; Games lost - 20
Last Week: PPG - 21.5, APG - 3.0, RPG - 4.5
Overall: PPG - 17.8, APG - 2.6, RPG - 4.5
Last Week: FG% - 47.8%, 3P% - 46.7%, SPG - 1.0
Overall: FG% - 45.2%, 3P% - 41.4%, SPG - 1.1
Desmond Bane climbs up to number four in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bane is back to his best after some struggles following the NBA All-Star break. The second-year man averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in four games last week.
Bane has become a vital part of the Memphis Grizzlies' ascent to the top this season. He's been the team's third option on offense, as well as their number one sharpshooter from beyond the arc. Bane will have to sustain his production until the end of the regular season for the Grizzlies to secure the second seed in the West.
#3 Miles Bridges
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 66; Games won - 31; Games lost - 35
Last Week: PPG - 20.8, APG - 5.0, RPG - 5.5
Overall: PPG - 19.9, APG - 3.7, RPG - 7.1
Last Week: FG% - 45.9%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 81.8%
Overall: FG% - 48.2%, 3P% - 31.0%, FT% - 80.2%
Miles Bridges remains at number three in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges is also back to his best, averaging 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in four games last week for the Charlotte Hornets. It appears Bridges' slump before the All-Star break is over.
The man who calls himself the best rapper in the NBA is having a breakout season. He's been the second-best player for the Hornets this season behind LaMelo Ball. They still have a chance to make the playoffs, but have to improve their standings in the Eastern Conference.
#2 Dejounte Murray
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 59; Games won - 25; Games lost - 34
Last Week: PPG - 25.8, APG - 8.5, RPG - 9.3
Overall: PPG - 20.7, APG - 9.3, RPG - 8.4
Last Week: FG% - 48.1%, 3P% - 18.8%, SPG - 3.3
Overall: FG% - 46.4%, 3P% - 31.2%, SPG - 2.1
Dejounte Murray is doing all he can to carry the San Antonio Spurs to the play-in tournament. Murray averaged 25.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists in four games last week. He's been a revelation for the Spurs this season, earning his first All-Star selection.
The Spurs are just one game behind the 10th seed in the West, the final play-in tournament spot. However, Murray remains at number two in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings because Ja Morant is in crazy form right now.
#1 Ja Morant
Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 54; Games won - 34; Games lost - 20
Last Week: PPG - 27.0, APG - 7.3, RPG - 5.0
Overall: PPG - 27.7, APG - 6.7, RPG - 5.8
Last Week: FG% - 45.8%, 3P% - 35.3%, FT% - 81.3%
Overall: FG% - 49.3%, 3P% - 34.4%, FT% - 76.4%
Ja Morant is still atop this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings after another stellar outing last week. Morant averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists in four games last week, while shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc.
The third-year guard has become a legitimate superstar for the Memphis Grizzlies this season. He's the main reason why the Grizzlies have the second-best record in the entire league. Morant's also the favorite to win the Most Improved Player Award at the end of the season.
Guess the Lakers players!
