By Jordan Long
The Denver Nuggets knocked off the Golden State Warriors 100-98 last night to improve to 3-0, their best start since 2009. That season they began 5-0, on their way to finishing with 53 victories, winning the Northwest Division. They ended up as the 4th seed in the West losing to the Utah Jazz in 6 games in the 1st-round. The Nuggets are hoping history is on their side and they end up making the playoffs at the end of the year.
The main reason Denver is 3-0 is defense. Denver isn’t allowing opponents wide open shots at the basket. They are putting a hand up in the face of the shooter, creating tough looks. Denver is boxing out, not allowing many second chance points. Denver gives up 95.7 points in the early going, 1st in the NBA, the only team not to permit 100 points per game. Denver needs to keep up their high play on defense. The way they are playing on defense, it will help them achieve a playoff spot for the first time since 2013.
On offense, Denver is scoring, passing the ball around the court, creating easy looks at the basket. Denver scores 108.7 points per game, ranking 22nd in the NBA.
Denver needs to improve offensive movement without the ball. They stand around. The point guard holds the ball at the top of the key. The other offensive players stand, waiting for something to happen. By the time Denver starts to move the shot clock is running down, causing a shot clock violation. The Nuggets have to cut into the lane which could create easy points for the point guard. If not, the point guard can pass to a teammate who is wide open for an easy dunk or layup.
Denver should work on free throws. They aren’t taking advantage of being fouled. The Nuggets are shooting 71.7% at the line, 20th in the NBA. That is not bad but not great either. Denver must work on making more free throws. Those can make a close game into one where the opposing team doesn’t have a chance to win or tie the game on the last possession.
The Nuggets are looking like a team in the early going who can make the playoffs. If they keep their play up throughout the season, Denver will easily make the postseason maybe even with home court advantage. Then again it has only been 3 games.
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