Scouting the Bakersfield Jam

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Tip: 7:30 p.m., Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX
Streaming: YouTube

Background

Record: 13-23, fifth in East Division
Off. efficiency: 102.9 points per 100 possessions, 12th
Def. efficiency: 105.8, 10th
Net rating: -2.9, 15th
Pace: 104.1 possessions per game, 5th

Four factors

Effective FG pct: 51.6, 5th
Turnover pct: 21.0, 17th*
Off. rebound pct: 32.6, 2nd
FTA rate: .347, 4th
Opp. effective FG pct: 50.9, 9th
Opp. turnover pct: 15.7, 13th
Def. rebound rate 73.2, 4th
Opp. FTA rate: .297, 5th

The leaders

Points: Terrel Harris, 17.3
Rebounds: Ike Diogu, 8.6
Assists: Jerel McNeal, 5.0
Blocks: Damion James, 1.1
Steals: McNeal, 2.5

Summary

Bakersfield is 2-8 in their last 10 games, and they have allowed 109 points per 100 possessions in this span, equivalent to the Texas Legends’ 16th-ranked defense. But, oddly enough, Bakersfield has improved two spots in defensive efficiency, limiting opponents to 26.2 attempts per game in the restricted area, the second-lowest mark in this span. The Jam have been decimated from the perimeter though; the opposition is averaging 30.7 3-pointers per game — seven from the corners, the second juiciest spot on the floor — in the last 10 games, a disparaging amount enough to make up for any gains in the paint.

The Jam have the third lowest winning percentage in the D-League, but they are not a complete black hole akin to the Erie Blackhawks and Delaware 87ers. They have some things going for them, namely their rebounding proficiency (tops in the D-League) and shooting percentage. Their net rating (-2.9) is 15th, in line with their current record, but they are much closer to the 23-14 Fort Wayne Mad Ants than the 11-30 Delaware 87ers, in terms of net rating.

Where they excel

Rebounding. Individually, they do not have an elite rebounder. Collectively, Bakersfield is a handful on both ends of the floor. The Jam corral 32.6 percent of their own misses, the second-highest percentage in the league, and 73.2 percent of their opponents misses, good for fourth.

Where they struggle

Taking care of the ball. Bakersfield mitigates the extra possessions they create on the offensive glass — and, subsequently, limits the opponents possessions on the defensive glass — with turnovers. They have turned the ball over on 21 percent of their possessions, the worst rate in the D-League. Opponents score 23.4 points (per 100 possessions) off turnovers, also the worst rate in the D-League. It’s a problem big enough to hurt a defense that otherwise fares well in most statistical categories.

Player to watch

Ike Diogu. He has plenty of NBA experience, and he registered 13 points and 22 rebounds against Texas in his last outing. The Toros are the third-worst rebounding team, in terms of percentage. Diogu could have a field day, especially against a team bereft of frontcourt players.

Stats: NBA D-League/Stats

* There are only 17 teams in the D-League.

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