Strong Early Surges From Murray and Powell Headline NBA Opening Month
jamal-murray-powell-lakers-early-season-trends
Denver, Los Angeles and Miami are drawing attention for very different reasons as the NBA season passes the four-week mark.
Nuggets Lean on a Fast-Starting Jamal Murray
Denver guard Jamal Murray, long known for slow Octobers and Novembers, is averaging a career-best 22.5 points per game, helping the defending champions jump out to a strong start. An Eastern Conference scout told ESPN that Murray “has been a huge part of their hot start,” noting the guard’s mobility and conditioning alongside Nikola Jokić.
The Nuggets will rely even more on Murray while reserve swingman Christian Braun recovers from a left ankle sprain expected to keep him sidelined until around New Year’s.
Lakers’ Record Outpaces Their Metrics
Los Angeles owns an 11-4 record, yet underlying numbers paint a murkier picture. Opponents are converting 69 percent of their shots at the rim against the Lakers, the league’s fourth-worst mark. The club ranks 11th in offensive efficiency, 17th in defense and 14th in net rating.
Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves have posted big individual totals during the opening month, while LeBron James has missed nearly the entire stretch. Center Deandre Ayton’s counting stats look solid, but the Lakers are several points better per 100 possessions when he sits.
Opinions on where Los Angeles fits in the Western Conference vary. “They’re clearly in the top six,” an Eastern Conference scout said, praising the roster’s high-end talent. A Western Conference counterpart was more bullish: “They’re top three for sure. When you have Luka, you’re always going to be in the mix.”
Powell Sparks Revamped Heat Offense
Miami’s overhauled attack has featured an unexpected focal point: Norman Powell. Acquired from the Clippers in a three-team deal that cost Miami little, the veteran wing is posting a career-high 25.5 points while hitting 46 percent from beyond the arc.
Powell’s production has kept the Heat in the league’s top ten offenses despite Tyler Herro’s season-long absence and extended downtime for Bam Adebayo.
Source: Hoops Wire
