Chris Boucher has found his footing. After a rollercoaster start to the season that saw Boucher dealing with various injuries, the Toronto Raptors big man is healthy and his game is reflecting it.

In a week where Toronto went 2-1, Boucher averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, and a blocked shot while playing nearly 23 minutes per contest. In the team’s 90-87 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday, Boucher finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, but what was most apparent was his comfort level on both ends of the floor.

“He was good tonight,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said after the game. “He had a little bit of everything going tonight. He had some [shots] at the basket, he hit a three, it’s always been a big part of his game. He’s kind of struggled with that this year, so it was good to see him hit one of those. He hit a couple of other ones, [too]. He was solid.”

Boucher has spoken openly about trying to balance allowing the game to come to him, with also looking for his three-point shot. He shared that he has recently added meditation to his pre-game routine to help settle his mind in preparation for game-time.

“The energy I'm playing with is a little different [now],” he said. “That’s the one thing that was kind of holding me back.”

In addition to meditation, Boucher has also been hitting the game film hard. Watching his own performances back has allowed him to see the parts of his game that he was passing up when he was dialed in on scoring from long-range.

“I went to [the film from] last year and I had a bunch of cuts, a bunch of dunks, putbacks,” Boucher said. “They all disappeared this year when I started shooting threes every time. Even driving the ball, I'm able to drive the ball, I’m able to drive the ball against a lot of guys, I’m faster than them, and I wasn’t even looking at it. Two times a day, watching film, that’s going to help you.”

With fellow Canadian and Raptors big man Khem Birch sidelined due to knee swelling, Boucher’s impact is as important as ever for a Raptors team that is looking to make a push to close out 2021.

“I just went back to what it is,” he said. “A lot of people were upset with my play, which I understand, but I do a lot of mental work and I'm just trying to figure out what it is. Eventually you find it. Eventually you know what you've got to do and that’s what’s going on right now.”

Elsewhere in the league, Dillon Brooks continues to light up the scoreboard in Memphis, most recently with a 25-point performance in a 113-106 Grizzlies win against the Houston Rockets. Brooks is averaging 17.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a steal in 28.2 minutes per game across 13 games this season. Memphis has won six of its last seven games, and is fourth in the Western Conference with a 16-11 record.

Andrew Wiggins poured in 28 points in a 126-95 Golden State Warriors blowout win against the Orlando Magic. It was a career-best night for the 26-year-old who finished 8-for-10 from the three-point line, the most threes he’s ever had in a game. Wiggins had 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter as Golden State kept the pace while Orlando gave its best push of the game. Wiggins is averaging 18.5 points per game and has been sensational for a Golden State team that is still waiting for Klay Thompson’s return to the court.‍‍

Though he has averaged more points in previous seasons, never before has Wiggins looked so comfortable on both ends of the floor. Since arriving in Golden State, the Wiggins-Warriors relationship has flourished.

“I don’t think it’s possible to not like Andrew Wiggins,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s such a nice human being. He’s just a really pleasant person to be around. His teammates love him. He’s so coachable. Whatever you ask of him, he just nods his head and does it. I think he’s really enjoying himself here. I think he’s found a nice niche with this group of guys and they appreciate everything he does for us. It’s just been a good fit and he’s playing at a really high level.”

Back to the Eastern Conference, Oshae Brissett had his name called this week and he has responded. Despite dealing with fluctuating minutes throughout this season, Brissett was ready when the Indiana Pacers needed him. The Pacers went 3-0 this week with wins against Washington, New York and Dallas. Brissett averaged 22.8 minutes in those victories, more than double his playing time average over his previous 12 games.

In a 116-110 Pacers win against the Wizards, Brissett contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot while making all three of his three-point attempts. “Brissett, it was hard to get him out of the game, he was so active and doing so many good things,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game. In the team’s 106-93 win over the Mavericks, he had nine points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.