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| Phot source: lanchongzi |
How'd they get to 0-3?
101-86 at Dallas, 104-101 to Indiana at home and 98-88 at Milwaukee
What's gone wrong?
The Bobcats are 29th in the NBA in turnovers, averaging 18.3 per game. That is especially bad because they play at the 29th slowest pace in the NBA. Gerald Wallace is the biggest offender. He's averaging five turnovers a game. Charlotte is also allowing more than seven points more per game than they did last season.
Sound the Alarm - One Time
The only concerning loss of the three was the one to Indiana at home. A big part of their success last year can be attributed to their ability to defend their home court. They were 31-10 in Charlotte. Still, D.J. Augustin has gotten off to a good start, as has Tyrus Thomas. Those two will be the keys to the Bobcats' success this season. Also, the last couple of playoff spots in the Eastern Conference will likely go to teams with sub-.500 records.
Detroit Pistons
How'd they get to 0-3?
101-98 at New Jersey, 105-104 to Oklahoma City at home and 101-91 at Chicago
What's gone wrong?
The Pistons cannot finish the game. They are dead last in the NBA in 4th quarter scoring differential at -7.3. They've also struggled to start the offense by taking the ball from the other team. At 4.8%, their steal percentage is ranked 27th in the NBA. Individually they are not getting good minutes from Richard Hamilton, Austin Daye or Tracy McGrady.
Sound the Alarm - Two Times
Detroit played well at home against OKC but the trend of blowing leads in the 4th quarter is a dangerous one. Hamilton seems to have dropped even another level down and they are getting nothing from McGrady. Like the Bobcats, the Pistons have the advantage of playing in the Eastern Conference. They need to get right quickly and win some of the key games that lie in their November schedule.
Houston Rockets
How'd they get to 0-3?
112-110 at Lakers, 132-128 at Golden State and 107-94 to Denver at home
What's gone wrong?
The Rockets have been trying to work Yao back to health but he hasn't helped when he's been on the floor. He was a team worst -19 against the Nuggets and worst among the starters at -6 against the Lakers. They have also posted the NBA's worst defensive efficiency allowing 1.116 points per possession.
Sound the Alarm - Three Times
There is very little margin for error in the Western Conference. Last season the eighth seed had 50 wins and it's very likely that you may need 50 wins to make the Western Conference playoffs again in 2010-11. Houston has had some good individual play from Luis Scola and Kevin Martin so far. But they will need a total team commitment to improving the defense if they are going to earn a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Clippers
How'd they get to 0-3?
98-88 to Portland at home, 109-91 at Golden State and 99-83 to Dallas at home
What's gone wrong?
It's the offense. The Clippers are last in the NBA in offensive efficiency at .91 points per possession, last in points per game at 87.3 and 29th in scoring margin at -14.7. This is largely a result of their last in the NBA field goal percentage of 37.7. The Clippers are equal opportunity offenders. The highest shooting percentage for a player taking more than four shots per game is 42.
Sound the Alarm - Four Times
Playoffs was a word thrown around for the Clippers before the season started. Three games in that is a pipe dream. They have struggled severely to put the ball in the hoop. Their next six games are home against San Antonio and Oklahoma City and then on the road at Denver, Utah, New Orleans and San Antonio. They are staring 0-9 in the face.
Philadelphia 76ers
How'd they get to 0-3?
97-87 to Miami at home, 104-101 to Atlanta at home and 99-86 at Indiana
What's gone wrong?
For the Sixers it is the third quarter. On average they are giving up 10 more points than they score in the third quarter. This was especially damaging in what should be considered their most winnable game, at Indiana. They came out of the locker room at half time tied at 51. When the third quarter ended they were down by 12. Individually they need Jrue Holiday to play better. The second-year point guard is shooting less than 33% and barely exceeding his turnovers with assists.
Sound the Alarm - One Time
The next three games for Philadelphia are winnable so they could be at .500 in a week. Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young are all playing good basketball. If Holiday can pick his game up and the 76ers can find a way to improve their performance in the third quarter they can contend for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
What are your observations on these five teams? What would you prescribe to help them get more wins? Let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.
