Our Rookie of the Year watch continued on Friday night. We have been keeping tabs on both Paolo Banchero, the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year (4/11 bet365), and Bennedict Mathurin, the second favorite (4/1 bet365). On Friday, November 4th, 2022, only Mathurin was in action between the two. His Indiana Pacers defeated the Miami Heat 101-99 to improve to 4-5 on the season.
Bennedict Mathurin's recent NBA games
Mathurin had 23 points in the game against Miami in 37 minutes of playing time. He went 5 for 11 from the floor, including 3 for 7 from behind the three-point arc. Mathurin also claimed a lot of points from the charity stripe, going 10 for 12. He contributed little in terms of rebounds or assists.
Mathurin is generally flat for everything except scoring. He had 16 points on October 31st and 32 points on the 29th. Both games were against the Brooklyn Nets. Mathurin is averaging just 4.3 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game on the season.
When will Bennedict Mathurin start getting starts?
Paolo Banchero is a rookie. The Orlando Magic have no trouble putting him in the starting lineup.
Keegan Murray, the third favorite to win the Rookie of the Year, is also from the 2022 NBA Draft. The Sacramento Kings have no troubles giving him starts.
Why should it be different for Mathurin?
Presently, the Indiana Pacers use Mathurin off of the bench. However, it should only be a matter of time before he starts to get some starts. In the Friday game, starting shooting guard Chris Duarte exited early and is currently day-to-day. Mathurin and Duarte play the same position, meaning that if Duarte misses some games, then Mathurin should start to get some starts.
Depending on how that works for him, a neck-and-neck race for the ROY could emerge between Mathurin and Banchero. At present, the latter is a strong favorite. Banchero contributes more than just scoring for the Magic.
