Russell Westbrook: Veteran NBA star Russell Westbrook, now with the Denver Nuggets, has faced a challenging start to the season. The former MVP, who embraced a bench role last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, is seeing limited success in a similar position for the Nuggets.
Through four games, Westbrook is averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds over 19.8 minutes per game. His shooting, however, has raised concerns—just 27.0% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc, marking one of the most challenging stretches of his career.
Struggles in Nuggets’ Bench Role
Westbrook’s transition to the Nuggets has highlighted the team’s bench performance issues. With the starting lineup featuring stars like Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., the bench’s underwhelming output has been noted as a key factor in Denver’s rocky 2-2 start. Westbrook is currently the team’s highest scorer off the bench, but his shooting percentage and limited minutes have left room for improvement. An NBA scout commenting on Westbrook’s performance to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps mentioned, “Their second unit is now at Russ’ mercy,” pointing to Westbrook’s influence over bench productivity.
Betting Insights on Westbrook’s Performance
Westbrook’s player prop bets for three-pointers and points reveal a cautious outlook. For instance, the prop bet for his made three-pointers is set at 0.5 with odds favoring the under at -140, a reflection of his current shooting slump.
Historically, Westbrook has only hit 22.2% of his three-point attempts since last season, placing him in the 11th percentile league-wide. This statistic doesn’t inspire confidence for fans or bettors anticipating a breakout performance from deep.
On the points prop, set at 8.5, Westbrook’s past performance still leaves room for skepticism. While Denver’s strong offensive rebounding has helped lengthen possessions, allowing for scoring chances, the Nuggets are one of the least aggressive teams for three-point attempts when playing away.
Additionally, with an overall slow pace ranking fifth in the league, the team’s dynamics may further challenge Westbrook’s scoring opportunities. Facing the Timberwolves next, Denver is expected to play a slower game, which could also impact Westbrook’s ability to put up significant numbers.
The Road Ahead: Can Westbrook Find His Rhythm?
Despite his slow start, Westbrook has shown glimpses of the scoring prowess that once made him an NBA scoring champion. In a recent overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets, he scored a season-high 22 points, marking his only double-digit performance this season.
As Westbrook adjusts to his new role, the Nuggets may need to explore lineup adjustments or additional strategies to get the most out of their bench rotation.
For fans and bettors alike, keeping an eye on Westbrook’s performance trends in upcoming games could be crucial. While he is projected to make 0.6 three-pointers and score around 8.5 points in the next game, his consistency remains in question.
As Denver seeks to stabilize after a promising championship run, Westbrook’s ability to adapt and deliver will be essential for their success this season.
