NBA: Underperformers and overachievers for Week 23

The push to the 2018 NBA Playoffs has brought out some masterful performances this week, with one overachiever showing age knows no bounds.

With the 2018 NBA Playoffs right around the corner, players have hit an extra gear in March. Take Houston Rockets guard James Harden, for instance.

On Tuesday night, Harden went off for 42 points, seven assists and six rebounds to give the Rockets their sixth win in a row. It was also Houston’s 15th road victory in 16 games, giving them a road record of 30-8 this season.

The Rockets are currently in the driver’s seat for the West’s top seed with a 57-14 record. They have the best home record in the NBA as well as the best road record. With home-court advantage for the foreseeable future in the playoffs, they are looking like a force to be reckoned with as Harden leads the way.

Harden isn’t the only player turning heads, though. Out in the East, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James seems to be gaining steam by the game. James put together a 35-point performance to go along with 17 assists and seven rebounds to lead a comeback over the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland outscored Toronto 68-50 in the second half. Oh, and James didn’t have a turnover in the game either.

The Cavaliers, among other teams, are peaking just at the right time. With just a handful of games left, the big-time performers are beginning to emerge. Here, we take a look at this week’s overachievers and underperformers.