A loss to start out the season is not a motive to panic, however it does give groups an opportunity to rapidly assess what must be mounted.
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are in that scenario after dropping their season openers at residence this week. One factor is for certain — considered one of them will get a victory within the second recreation when the Clippers go to Denver on Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles could be 1-0 if some issues had damaged the appropriate method within the time beyond regulation loss to Phoenix on Wednesday. The Clippers’ protection was suspect, and an premature missed free throw contributed to the loss.
Los Angeles led by 9 within the fourth quarter earlier than the Suns reeled off 11 straight factors and Clippers guard James Harden, who had 29 factors and 12 rebounds, had an opportunity to ship it to double time beyond regulation however missed a foul shot.
These are little issues that may be cleaned up, however for Harden his total efficiency was missing regardless of ending two assists wanting a triple-double.
“I bought to play method higher,” Harden stated. “I feel it was simply having that week off, getting adjusted to the tempo of the sport. The entire above. Capturing the ball properly, one thing that I can management, taking higher photographs. … After which simply turning the ball over. Not simply getting a high quality shot possession by possession. … My play must be so much higher.”
The Nuggets are feeling the identical method after shedding 102-87 at residence to Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday night time. Denver was adequate on protection — the Thunder shot simply 42.6 p.c — however the offense lacked move and the photographs weren’t falling.
A few of that may be attributed to adjusting to a brand new rotation. Christian Braun moved into the beginning lineup after coming off the bench his first two seasons, and the roster modifications introduced in new reserves.
In his Denver debut, Russell Westbrook had 5 rebounds and 5 assists however was 2-for-10 capturing in ending with six factors. The bench solely scored 16 factors and as a unit was 1-for-16 from 3-point vary.
However making photographs was not distinctive to that group; the Nuggets had been 35-for-98 from the sector (35.7 p.c) and Braun was the one participant to make extra photographs than he missed.
“We’re not a very good capturing staff, besides most likely Mike (Porter Jr.) after which Jamal (Murray),” stated Nikola Jokic, who had 16 factors, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. “All of us are sort of streaky — not streaky, however you realize, simply common shooters. We will most likely be higher, have a bonus in another issues on the ground.”
It doesn’t appear to be a simple repair, particularly from deep. Denver’s 3-point capturing was questioned coming into the season after which it missed 31 of 38 photographs from deep Thursday night time.
The departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was felt after the Nuggets couldn’t knock down makeable photographs.
“We have simply bought to look to see offensively what we will do higher,” coach Michael Malone stated. “I assumed we had lots of attractiveness however, clearly, we had been 7-for-38 from deep.”
–Area Stage Media
