NBA: Six Unlikely Players That Have Saved Their Team’s Season

Jae Crowder, Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have been one of the biggest surprises of the NBA this season. They’re the third seed in the Eastern Conference and 13 games over .500 with a little less than 20 to play. And while most of the love for the Celtics’ sudden rise in the East will go to Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder has had a huge hand in it too.

Crowder, who was part of the notorious Rajon Rondo trade from last season, is averaging a career high 15 points and five rebounds this season. He’s also shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range – both of which are career highs, too.

On top of his career year on the offensive end, Crowder is also one of the team’s pillars on the defensive end, along with Avery Bradley, and is one of their key cogs when they play small.

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