This article is part of our NBA Barometer series.
RISERS
Jared Sullinger, PF/C, BOS — Sullinger has prospered since backup center Kelly Olynyk went down with a shoulder injury on Feb. 10. Sullinger has averaged 13.1 PPG and 10.1 RPG in seven subsequent appearances. Head coach Brad Stevens values big men who can shoot, and Sullinger's range has bought him some extra offensive usage with one less adequate option available on that end. Olynyk isn't due back in the near future, so Sullinger's added production shouldn't dry up anytime soon.
Damian Lillard, PG, POR — Lillard has scored at least 30 points in seven of his last eight games, as he continues to carry the scoring burden for the suddenly hot Trail Blazers. Their playoff perch is far from locked up at this point, so don't expect the point guard to take his foot off the gas. His ability to rack up assists with a healthy dose of rebounds and steals makes Lillard a well-rounded asset, but it's his elite scoring ability that has separated him from the pack recently.
Mike Dunleavy, SF, CHI — Dunleavy is finally working his way back up to his regular allotment of minutes after missing most of the season due to injury. He's worth a look considering his production since clearing the 24-minute threshold for the first time four games ago. The veteran's 12.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 2.3 APG since don't blow you away, but he has most definitely risen back into the conversation as a serviceable asset after
RISERS
Jared Sullinger, PF/C, BOS — Sullinger has prospered since backup center Kelly Olynyk went down with a shoulder injury on Feb. 10. Sullinger has averaged 13.1 PPG and 10.1 RPG in seven subsequent appearances. Head coach Brad Stevens values big men who can shoot, and Sullinger's range has bought him some extra offensive usage with one less adequate option available on that end. Olynyk isn't due back in the near future, so Sullinger's added production shouldn't dry up anytime soon.
Damian Lillard, PG, POR — Lillard has scored at least 30 points in seven of his last eight games, as he continues to carry the scoring burden for the suddenly hot Trail Blazers. Their playoff perch is far from locked up at this point, so don't expect the point guard to take his foot off the gas. His ability to rack up assists with a healthy dose of rebounds and steals makes Lillard a well-rounded asset, but it's his elite scoring ability that has separated him from the pack recently.
Mike Dunleavy, SF, CHI — Dunleavy is finally working his way back up to his regular allotment of minutes after missing most of the season due to injury. He's worth a look considering his production since clearing the 24-minute threshold for the first time four games ago. The veteran's 12.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 2.3 APG since don't blow you away, but he has most definitely risen back into the conversation as a serviceable asset after being completely off the radar prior to last week.
Nikola Vucevic, C, ORL — Vucevic has scored at least 17 points in each of his last 10 games, averaging 23.6 PPG over that span. The Magic center has long been known for his consistent rebounding ability, but he has started adding more offense to his arsenal since the insertion of the rangy Aaron Gordon into the lineup at power forward freed up some much-needed space inside. Based on the current construction of Orlando's roster, Vucevic should continue to be called upon for extensive scoring contributions moving forward.
Will Barton, SG, DEN — While his play Monday didn't necessarily show it, Barton is poised for an extended run of enhanced production now that Danilo Gallinari (ankle) is sidelined for the next month. Denver's lack of credible perimeter threats should pave the way for extra playing time and opportunities for Barton, and the fact that he played five minutes above his season average despite struggling in the first game since Gallinari's injury proves that the Nuggets don't have many alternatives to turn to. Don't let one nine-point, six-rebound and four-assist effort scare you away, as that performance should be viewed as Barton's floor for the next month.
INJURIES
Evan Fournier, SF, ORL — Fournier has missed Orlando's last two games with a wrist injury, frustrating owners who had been capitalizing on his recent offensive resurgence. Rookie Mario Hezonja has been up and down in two starts as Fournier's replacement, suggesting the starting gig will be returned to the Frenchman when he's ready to take it. That time should come sooner rather than later, as his doubtful tag prior to missing Tuesday's game suggests this injury shouldn't linger for more than another week at most.
Danilo Gallinari, SF, DEN — The oft-injured Italian is projected to be sidelined for a month after tearing two ligaments and spraining a medial ligament in his right ankle against the Mavericks on Friday. Gallinari had been providing solid offense for a Nuggets team already missing Tyson Chandler at the small forward position, but now that burden figures to fall even more extensively on Will Barton.
Michael Carter-Williams, PG, MIL — Carter-Williams' questionable designation Wednesday suggests that his knee injury won't keep him out much longer, but that prognosis might be slightly optimistic considering his inability to practice Tuesday after being held out of Monday's game. Luckily for the Bucks, Jerryd Bayless came back from injury just as Carter-Williams got hurt, and should assume top bench point guard duties for the time being.
FALLERS
Jared Dudley, PF, WAS — What little value Dudley had left is likely to evaporate now that trade deadline acquisition Markieff Morris has finally wrested the starting job away from him. Dudley scored just four points with four rebounds in Morris' start against the 76ers on Monday, and performances like that should become the norm if the steady veteran fails to win back his minutes against the explosive former Suns member.
Greg Monroe, C, MIL — Monroe's scoring pace has fallen off since his move to a bench role. He has been held to 12 or less points five times in his last seven appearances after failing to surpass that mark just once in his previous 20 games. It's clear that this change will continue to have a lasting negative impact on monroe's stats, even though the reduction to his minutes has been modest.
Devin Booker, SG, PHX — Booker has folded under the pressure since head coach Earl Watson declared him Phoenix's go-to scoring option, averaging just 10.8 PPG in his last five games after putting up a robust 20.1 PPG over his previous 10. The rookie out of Kentucky has a tremendous shooting stroke and a bright future ahead of him, but his current lapse in confidence is dragging down his game significantly at the moment.
Carmelo Anthony, SF, NYK — It's not completely his fault, but Anthony's 37.9 percent field goal percentage over the last five games is indicative of his role as the only legitimate scoring option on a submarining roster devoid of offense. He's having to generate almost every point from scratch, and that effort level takes a toll. Between the increased defensive attention he faces and the constant pressure on him to score, it's no wonder Melo has just three steals and two blocks total in his last six games to go along with lackluster shooting that doesn't figure to improve unless his teammates do.
