Ausar Thompson has been urged to take more mid‑range jumpers, and the numbers confirm it, Detroit Free Press reporter Omari Sankofa notes. In Detroit’s first six games he attempted 36 shots, 17 from the short mid‑range zone.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, “When he gets to his spot, it’s basically make‑or‑miss because nobody’s going to block it. We need him aggressive offensively and force defenses to react. That’s the shot he’s worked on and the one we need him to take.”
Thompson, who secured a five‑year, $155 MM rookie‑scale extension before the season, is now shooting a career‑best 55.8 % from the field, though his scoring pace (9.7 PPG) barely differs from last year’s 9.9 PPG.
Below is additional news from the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers aim to avenge Monday’s five‑point defeat to Oklahoma City despite missing two key wing players. Peyton Watson sits out his second straight game with hamstring tightness, and Jaylon Tyson is out after spraining an ankle, according to Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs. Cleveland exercised Tyson’s fourth‑year option a few weeks earlier. In my view, the Cavs’ bench will be stretched thin.
- Matas Buzelis has stumbled out of the gate for the struggling Bulls, posting 13.0 PPG while shooting 40 % overall and just 29 % from three. He logged 16.3 PPG last season, his sophomore year. “I worked extremely hard this summer,” he told the Chicago Sun‑Times’ Joe Cowley. “Sometimes you work hard and expect results. Right now you have to focus on what you can control and what you can do out there.” Chicago triggered his $7.6 MM fourth‑year option last month. Will Buzelis turn it around before the season ends?