Oct 24, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and guard Ajay Mitchell (25) defend on Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokic (15) within the second quarter at Ball Area. Obligatory Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs A loss to start out the season is not a cause to panic, but it surely does give groups an opportunity to shortly assess what must be mounted.
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are in that scenario after dropping their season openers at dwelling this week. One factor is definite — one in all them will get a victory within the second recreation when the Clippers go to Denver on Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles is perhaps 1-0 if some issues had damaged the fitting manner within the additional 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 additional 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 wanting a triple-double.
“I acquired to play manner higher,” Harden stated. “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 needs to be quite a bit higher.”
The Nuggets are feeling the identical manner after dropping 102-87 at dwelling to Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday evening. Denver was adequate on protection — the Thunder shot simply 42.6 % — however the offense lacked circulation 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 a superb 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 type 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 evening.
The departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was felt after the Nuggets couldn’t knock down makeable photographs.
“We have simply acquired to look to see offensively what we are able to do higher,” coach Michael Malone stated. “I assumed we had lots of attractiveness however, clearly, we have been 7-for-38 from deep.”
–Area Stage Media
