A loss to begin the season is not a motive to panic, nevertheless 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 — considered one of them will get a victory within the second sport when the Clippers go to Denver on Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles may be 1-0 if some issues had damaged the suitable means 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 received to play means higher,” Harden mentioned. “I feel it was simply having that week off, getting adjusted to the tempo of the sport. All the above. Capturing the ball effectively, one thing that I can management, taking higher photographs. … After which simply turning the ball over. Not simply getting a top quality shot possession by possession. … My play must be lots higher.”
The Nuggets are feeling the identical means after dropping 102-87 at house to Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday night time. Denver was adequate on protection — the Thunder shot simply 42.6 % — however the offense lacked stream 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 adjustments 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 photographs was not distinctive to that group; the Nuggets have been 35-for-98 from the sector (35.7 %) and Braun was the one participant to make extra photographs than he missed.
“We’re not taking pictures group, besides most likely Mike (Porter Jr.) after which Jamal (Murray),” mentioned Nikola Jokic, who had 16 factors, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. “All of us are form of streaky — not streaky, however , simply common shooters. We are able to 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 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 received to look to see offensively what we are able to do higher,” coach Michael Malone mentioned. “I assumed we had plenty of beauty however, clearly, we have been 7-for-38 from deep.”
–Area Stage Media
