NBA Barometer: Sun Not Shining

RISERS

Trevor Ariza, F, HOU - Ariza has posted four straight double-digit scoring performances, his first such streak of the season. He's averaging a solid 14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.8 three-pointers over that span, and a season-high 40.5 percent on his 37 attempts from beyond the arc within that stretch as well. With the exception of his assist figure, all of those metrics represent high-water marks on the young season for the veteran forward, who appears to be hitting his stride in the offense after an inconsistent first eight games.

Kenneth Faried, F, DEN - Faried moved into the starting lineup three games ago in coach Mike Malone's attempt to shake up the frontcourt and has responded with three straight games with double-digit rebounds, with two of those efforts being double-doubles. He's seen an improvement of three points per game in his last four contests over that of his previous four, is averaging nearly one more block game, and has generated a near nine-point uptick in field-goal percentage, from 48.3 to 57.1. Given the jolt he's provided to the Nuggets' offense, Faried figures to remain in the starting five for the time being.

Kristaps Porzingis, F, NYK - Porzingis went off for a career-high 35 points just two games ago against the Pistons and has been over the 20-point mark in two other contests over his last four as well. He's been consistently and heavily involved in the offense, taking double-digit shot attempts in all but one game this season, and his usage rate (25.4 percent) is equal to that of Derrick Rose and just behind Carmelo Anthony's 26.8 percent figure. He's also been increasingly willing to fire away from long range, as he's now averaging a season-high 6.3 three-point attempts over the last four contests. As a primary source of offense for the Knicks, Porzingis' arrow figures to continue trending upward.

Wilson Chandler, F, DEN - Chandler appears to be hitting full stride after missing all of last season with a hip injury. Despite fighting a hamstring ailment the last couple of games, he's still gone off for 28 and 25 points, respectively, while also hauling in double-digit rebounds in each. Chandler has six double-digit scoring efforts in the last seven contests overall, and is shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range in the last six games. Playing time has not been an issue either, as he's averaged 32 minutes per game over the last four and 30.4 overall for the season. Despite Danilo Gallinari's presence, Chandler still sports the second-highest usage rate (24 percent) among the Nuggets' regulars, and should only get better as the season goes along.

INJURIES

C.J. Miles, G/F, IND – Miles exited Friday's game against the Suns with a knee injury and was scheduled for an MRI on Saturday. With Paul George ailing as well, Rodney Stuckey and Georges Niang could be in for some extended run at small forward.

D'Angelo Russell, G, LAL - Russell missed Friday's game against the Spurs with knee soreness and is questionable to play Sunday night against the Bulls. Although Jose Calderon started in Russell's place Friday against the Spurs, he played only 13 minutes, while Jordan Clarkson logged 31 minutes off the bench, scoring 20 points. A similar arrangement could be in place Sunday if Russell remains sidelined.

Jae Crowder, F, BOS - Crowder has now missed eight games with his ankle injury but is traveling with the team on the road trip that begins with a Saturday night tilt against the Pistons. That naturally leaves him with an opportunity to return to action at any point. With Marcus Smart having exited Friday's game with an ankle contusion, that return could well be against Detroit. However, if neither Crowder or Smart can take the floor, rookie Jaylen Brown should be in for extended run.

Al Horford, F, BOS - Horford missed his ninth straight game Friday following his concussion, but returned Saturday against the Pistons. Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk have both received an uptick in minutes in Horford's stead, but that will change with Horford back.

Deron Williams, G, DAL - Williams will remain sidelined for at least two more games with his calf injury, after having suffered a setback in on Wednesday against the Celtics in his first game back. His five total missed games with the ailment have mainly afforded J.J. Barea extended run, but the latter is now also suffering from an Achilles injury that will keep him out approximately six weeks. Therefore, Seth Curry stands to see a major uptick in opportunity for at least the next two games at point guard.

Paul George, F, IND - George's sore left ankle kept him out of Friday's game against the Suns, and he will undergo a Saturday MRI. With C.J. Miles having exited Friday's contest with a knee injury that will prompt him to join George in the Saturday MRI club, Rodney Stuckey stands to see extended opportunity in the immediate future.

Dirk Nowitzki, F, DAL - Nowitzki will miss at least two more games due to his Achilles injury, which will continue to give Dorian Finney-Smith a chance to continue starting and Dwight Powell a chance for extended run.

J.J. Barea, G, DAL - Barea will be sidelined at least six weeks with an Achilles injury of his own. This would in and of itself boost Seth Curry up a notch on the point guard depth chart behind Deron Williams, but with the latter currently sidelined at least two more games with a calf injury, it provides Curry an opportunity to run the point with the first unit in the immediate future.

FALLERS

Marcus Morris, F, DET - Morris has three straight games with just seven points, and also had a four-point effort within the last five contests. The sudden downturn hasn't been due to a lack of offensive involvement either, as Morris has still averaged 11.6 attempts over that span. What has been at cause is his shooting, which stands at an unsightly 32.8 percent during that stretch. His current 41.3 percent figure in that category for the season is his lowest since his rookie season, as is his 29.1 percent success rate from three-point range. With his numbers essentially down across the board over last season, Morris is on a path to somewhat of a letdown campaign in the early going.

Devin Booker, G, PHO - Booker has seen a downturn across the board over the last four games, during which he's averaged almost four points per game less than his prior three contests and seen a two-and-five-percentage-point drops in field-goal and three-point percentage, respectively. The talented two-guard has scored 11 to 13 points in three of his last five contests. He's also dealing with a possible sprained ankle that forced him to exit Friday's game against the Pacers early, further dimming his prospects at the moment. Brandon Knight has also started to come on behind him, which could conceivably affect Booker's playing time if his struggles continue.

Nikola Vucevic, C, ORL - Vucevic has remained active on the boards recently but his shot has absolutely gone in the tank. He's tallied just a 22.7 percent success rate from the field over the last four games while averaging just 5.0 points. While he emerged from his doldrums a bit on Friday against the Pelicans with a 10-point output on 5-of-12 shooting, but his struggles haven't necessarily been limited to the most recent stretch. Vucevic is averaging over seven points less per game than last season, going from 18.2 to 10.8, which is accompanied by a drop of 51 percent to 42.8 percent shooting-wise. The Magic offense has been in a general funk all season, and the veteran center hasn't been exempt.

Jusuf Nurkic, F/C, DEN - Nurkic has played less than 20 minutes in four of the last five games, with scoreless efforts in two of those contests. The recent stretch is a far cry from the way Nurkic started the season, which included five straight double-digit scoring efforts and a pair of double-doubles. He's averaging just 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 30.8 percent shooting over the last four games, with no clear indicator of an emergence from his current slump on the horizon.