Nuggets Have Shooting Issues

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Nikola Jokic Acknowledges Nuggets Have Shooting Issues

A Tough Start for the Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets began the 2024-25 season with a tough loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling 102-87 on Thursday night. The team struggled, shooting only 35.7% from the field and a concerning 18.4% from three-point range, making just 7 of 38 attempts.

Jokic’s Clear Assessment

Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic didn’t hold back in assessing the team’s performance, stating that, aside from two players, the Nuggets are not a good shooting team. Despite achieving a triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, Jokic emphasized the need for improvement in this area. Head coach Michael Malone also expressed his concerns, noting that the loss of shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who joined the Orlando Magic, impacted the team’s game.

Comparison to Last Season

Last season, the Nuggets shone with a 49.6% shooting percentage from the field (fourth in the NBA) and 37.4% from three-point range (tenth). However, in this first game, the combination of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. managed only 5 of 15 from three-point range, while the rest of the team went a troubling 2 of 23. This is something bettors should consider when evaluating the NBA ODDS for upcoming games.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, the Nuggets’ ability to adjust their shooting will be crucial. Bettors should closely monitor the NBA ODDS, as shooting performance could influence betting and the team’s standings. If the Nuggets can’t find their rhythm, they will face challenges in their quest for new victories.

Nuggets Looking Closely if  Russell Westbrook can Help the Team

A Complicated Start

The arrival of Russell Westbrook to the Denver Nuggets began Thursday night, but like his previous teams, it wasn’t a promising debut. Westbrook started his Denver era with an airball on his very first field-goal attempt. By the end of the game, he finished with a poor 2-for-10 shooting and 1-for-6 from three-point range, contributing only six points, five assists, and five rebounds in 21 minutes during the 102-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Impact on the Game

After Westbrook entered the game midway through the first quarter, Oklahoma City went on a stunning 21-6 run to close out the period. The team was already struggling, and Westbrook’s presence only tightened the spacing on the court. While he showed some ability to attack the basket and blocked two shots, the lack of effective outside shooting became evident.

Concerning Statistics

Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in the summer of 2019, Westbrook has recorded a 44.9% shooting percentage from the field and 29.7% from three-point range, along with an average of 3.7 turnovers per game. He has played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers, all of which moved on from him within two seasons. It’s challenging to maintain an efficient offense in the modern NBA when a point guard cannot shoot effectively.

Bettors should keep an eye on the NBA ODDS, as Westbrook’s future in Denver could impact betting related to the team’s performance.