In recent scoring surge, Russell Westbrook trims 3-point attempts

Russell Westbrook has been the No. 3 scorer in the NBA for over a month, and it’s come at a time when his 3-point attempts have dropped.

Entering Wednesday, in games since Dec. 16, Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook is the NBA’s No. 3 scorer at 30.2 points per game.

In games played before that date of the 2019-20 season, Westbrook ranked just No. 21 in the league in scoring at 22.5 points per game.

So, what changed?

To some degree, it probably reflects that Westbrook is becoming more comfortable as he adjusts to a new team in the Rockets after spending the first 11 seasons of his career in Oklahoma City. He may also be getting more explosive as he continues recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Statistically, though, what jumps out most is a change in his shot profile. After struggling with 3-point accuracy during his first few weeks playing in head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s 3-point heavy scheme in Houston, it’s not as if Westbrook suddenly started making more of them.

He simply stopped taking as many.

In his last 11 games, Westbrook has averaged 3.4 attempts per game from 3-point range. In six of those 11 (54.5%), he’s attempted two 3-pointers or less — including just one in his last two games, combined.

By comparison, in his first 25 games with the Rockets, Westbrook averaged 5.2 shots from 3-point range per game. Moreover, in only three of those 25 games (12%) did Westbrook have two attempts or less.

His 3-point accuracy has improved only slightly, from 23.3% in the earlier period to 24.3% in the latter stretch. But it doesn’t seem to matter as much these days, since he’s taking fewer of those shots.

In all, it’s led to a much more efficient scorer. In 17 games since Dec. 7, Westbrook is scoring 29.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting from the field. In 19 games prior to that, when his shot profile included more 3-pointers, Westbrook averaged 21.7 points per game on 39.9% shooting.

“He’s playing really well,” D’Antoni said after Monday’s game vs. Oklahoma City, when Westbrook had 32 points (66.7% shooting), 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. “He’s coming at you. You feel him.”

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D’Antoni then acknowledged the recent changes in Westbrook’s shot profile, starting with an increased willingness to drive. The coach said:

He’s shooting a very high percentage. I think he’s kind of figured out what he’s more comfortable with, and that’s fine.

We were insisting 3s, and stuff. … But I think he just said, ‘You know, I’m getting to the hole.’ He went from sometimes pulling up and then getting to the rim. Now it’s always get to the rim, and every once in a while pull up when he’s got it going. He’s done a great job.

D’Antoni noted that any changes came from Westbrook himself, as opposed to suggestions from the coaching staff. His remarks:

That’s why he’s an MVP. They do things out on the floor I have no idea how they’re doing it. You don’t coach that. That’s greatness. He figured it out.

Westbrook will look to continue that momentum when the Rockets (26-16) host Denver (30-13) at 7 p.m. Wednesday inside Toyota Center. Houston is looking to snap a season-long losing streak of four games, largely due to a major slump from backcourt co-star James Harden.

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