A FAMILIAR FACE: Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed, playing on assignment with the Delaware Blue Coats, has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 12. Reed, the 2021 NBA G League MVP and Rookie of the Year, led Delaware to a 3-0 week aver-aging 20.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals. The DePaul product put an exclamation point on his week with 25points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in Delaware’s 120-109 win on Dec. 12 over the Westchester Knicks. The Blue Coats closeout their Showcase Cup schedule on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET against Westchester on NBAGLeague.com.
BEASTS OF THE EAST: The Delaware Blue Coats (10-1) and the Maine Celtics (9-1) have clinched spots in the Showcase Cup Tournament out of the East region. Delaware is riding an eight-game winning streak while Maine has a seven-game win streak of its own. The Blue Coats have been paced by NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year candidate Shaquille Harrison, who’s averaging 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and a league-leading 2.9 steals. Delaware leads the league in steals per game (14.4), translating into a league-high 26.9 points per game off turnovers. The Celtics feature eight players scoring in double figures, including Boston Celtics Two-Way players Brodric Thomas (18.3 ppg) and Sam Hauser (17.1 ppg). Maine’s attack from three-point range has been the best in the NBA G League, leading in three-pointers made (165) and three-point percentage (41.6).
STOKED IN SOUTH BAY: Led by Mac McClung, Mason Jones and Paris Bass, the South Bay Lakers cruised to a 3-1 week to put them atop the West region at 8-2. McClung spearheaded the offense for the Lakers this week, averaging a team-high 24.3points and 7.3 assists while Jones contributed 21.3 points, 7.3 re-bounds and 5.8 assists, including a 30-point explosion in South Bay’s 139-120 win over the Salt Lake City Stars on Dec. 8. Bass put together two consecutive double-doubles during the week and in four games averaged 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Lakers return to action tonight hosting the Agua Caliente Clippers at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+
