The Denver Nuggets are the hottest team in the league right now, having won nine straight games. It's looking like they are a matchup any squad would rather avoid in the playoffs. However, smart defenses might be able to expose a vulnerability in their starting lineup: Christian Braun's unreliable outside shooting.
Saying that Braun is something of an Achilles' heel for the Nuggets might be unwise. He has been a key contributor for the Nuggets, with his ability to attack the rim in half-court sets and on fast breaks helping the squad turn in the league's most potent offense this year.
However, the fourth-year pro has been abysmal from beyond the arc all season, having converted just 30.5 percent of his threes. He has been awful even when unguarded, connecting on just 33.0 percent from long range when he is wide open (or when a closest defender is at least six feet away).
CB’s inefficiency could be a problem in the playoffs
In the regular season, Braun's weakness may not be that big a deal. But when the Nuggets face off against a top-ranked defensive unit in a seven-game series, his ability (or lack thereof) to hit open shots could make or break their hopes of securing the four wins needed to advance to the next round.
Braun's assigned defender can sag off him a bit when he is on the perimeter to shrink the floor for Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
For instance, he missed three three-pointers in Denver's overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
The first of those attempts saw Toumani Camara close out on Murray and leave Braun open for a corner three. Murray made the additional pass, but Braun failed to capitalize on the Blazers' defensive miscue.
Then, late in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 123, he had some daylight for a go-ahead three-pointer, but the shot went short. CB's final miss from three-point land came in the extra period and another late close-out from the Blazers. In both cases, the defense collapsed on Nikola Jokic inside the paint.
CB has to keep defenses honest
Hopefully, Braun is spending more time in the gym to work on his jumper. The silver lining is that he has proven capable of being a legitimate threat from downtown. He shot nearly 40 percent from that range last campaign.
It might be too far-fetched to think of the young swingman as an offensive liability. He can get buckets, and his efficiency in the restricted area has been above average.
But if high-IQ defenses manage to exploit his shortcomings behind the three-point line, the Nuggets may be forced to take him out of the game in key possessions. Such a scenario wouldn't be ideal, as they need him for his defensive prowess and because of the injuries the squad has had to deal with.