A loss to begin the season is not a cause to panic, however it does give groups an opportunity to rapidly assess what must be fastened.
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are in that scenario after dropping their season openers at house this week. One factor is definite — certainly one of them will get a victory within the second recreation when the Clippers go to Denver on Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles is likely to be 1-0 if some issues had damaged the appropriate manner within the extra time 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 extra time however missed a foul shot.
These are little issues that may be cleaned up, however for Harden his general efficiency was missing regardless of ending two assists in need of a triple-double.
“I obtained to play manner 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 pictures. … After which simply turning the ball over. Not simply getting a high quality shot possession by possession. … My play needs to be rather a lot higher.”
The Nuggets are feeling the identical manner after shedding 102-87 at house to Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday evening. Denver was adequate on protection — the Thunder shot simply 42.6 % — however the offense lacked circulate and the pictures 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 taking pictures 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 pictures was not distinctive to that group; the Nuggets have been 35-for-98 from the sphere (35.7 %) and Braun was the one participant to make extra pictures than he missed.
“We’re not an excellent taking pictures 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 form of streaky — not streaky, however you understand, simply common shooters. We will most likely be higher, have a bonus in another issues on the ground.”
It doesn’t seem like a simple repair, particularly from deep. Denver’s 3-point taking pictures was questioned coming into the season after which it missed 31 of 38 pictures from deep Thursday evening.
The departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was felt after the Nuggets couldn’t knock down makeable pictures.
“We have simply obtained to look to see offensively what we will do higher,” coach Michael Malone stated. “I assumed we had quite a lot of beauty however, clearly, we have been 7-for-38 from deep.”
–Subject Degree Media
