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 middle Nikola Jokic (15) within the second quarter at Ball Area. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs A loss to start out the season is not a purpose to panic, but it surely does give groups an opportunity to shortly assess what must be fastened.
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are in that state of affairs after dropping their season openers at dwelling this week. One factor is for certain — one among 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 proper approach 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 wanting a triple-double.
“I acquired to play approach higher,” Harden mentioned. “I feel it was simply having that week off, getting adjusted to the tempo of the sport. The entire above. Taking pictures the ball properly, 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 loads higher.”
The Nuggets are feeling the identical approach after shedding 102-87 at dwelling 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 adjustments 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 have been 35-for-98 from the sphere (35.7 p.c) and Braun was the one participant to make extra photographs than he missed.
“We’re not capturing crew, besides in all probability 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 you recognize, simply common shooters. We are able to in all probability be higher, have a bonus in another issues on the ground.”
It doesn’t appear to be a straightforward 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 acquired to look to see offensively what we will do higher,” coach Michael Malone mentioned. “I assumed we had quite a lot of attractiveness however, clearly, we have been 7-for-38 from deep.”
–Area Stage Media