By Jordan Long
The Denver Nuggets are 14-21 after a 120-113 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Tonight they look to improve their record at home versus the San Antonio Spurs. What is going on with the Nuggets to this point?
The Denver Nuggets are a decent scoring team. They are able to make baskets at will averaging 108.3 points per game. The Nuggets can hit shots beyond the three-point line, hitting 35.9% of the threes they take. The Nuggets are taking advantage of rebounds on the offensive glass. They average 12.4 offensive rebounds per game. Those rebounds allow for second chance points.
The one area Head Coach Michael Malone hasn’t liked is the defense. According to ESPN he said, “Offense sells tickets; defense wins championships. Right now our defense is the worst in the NBA.”
Malone is not far off with his criticism of the Nuggets on the defensive end. The Nuggets allow 110.5 points per game. They can’t stop opponents from scoring inside the paint as they shoot 46.9%. Rival teams are passing the basketball around the court and are finding the open player near the hoop for an easy basket.
The Nuggets are allowing teams too many three-point baskets. Teams are passing the ball around the arc. The ball movement allows them to find an open look at a three. Most of the time those shots go in. Opponents are shooting 37% from that area.
The Denver Nuggets are in a playoff race for the 8th seed. The only way they make it is if they improve on the defensive end. Michael Malone can only coach so much. It is up the players to use what he is telling them. The Nuggets players must put up better effort on the defensive end and start playing defense. They can’t allow teams to have wide-open looks at the basket. That could shoot them out of games and a playoff spot. Unless Denver turns it around on defense, it could be another season where they miss the playoffs.
How can the Denver Nuggets improve on defense the rest of the season?
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