Duel between RJ Barrett and Ja Morant for the rookie of the year

The timing of RJ Barrett’s improved shooting ability and overall play is even more difficult to overlook as the NBA’s 2020 Rookie of the Year makes a lone appearance at Garden this season when the improved Grizzlies come to town Friday night for face the Knicks.

Electrifying point guard Ja Morant was the number 2 overall selection in the 2019 draft, a pick before the Knicks picked Barrett. Teammate of the Duke of Barrett, Zion Williamson, was the first overall selection.

Barrett recorded his second-most points in a game this season with 29 in Wednesday’s 101-99 defeat in Boston. He has nailed 16 of his last 22 3-point shots (72.7%) in his last five games, including six in six attempts against the Celtics.

In his last 20 games, Barrett has recorded 19.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, shooting 46.9% from long range.