On Thursday, the Houston Rockets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 105-101, largely fueled by Kevin Durant‘s outstanding midrange shooting. Durant scored 35 points, with nearly half coming from the midrange area, going 8-of-10 on these shots. His crucial 17-foot jumper late in the game, despite close defense from Sion James and Brandon Miller, helped seal the Rockets’ victory.
Durant’s ability to consistently find midrange opportunities proved too difficult for Charlotte’s defenders, including key perimeter players like James, Josh Green, and Grant Williams, none of whom could effectively contest his shot due to their relative lack of height and reach.
Brandon Miller’s midrange game still needs significant development
Although Durant’s performance set a high standard, Brandon Miller possesses physical tools such as length and solid ball-handling skills that could allow him to improve his midrange shooting. Despite expressing a desire last summer to increase his midrange attempts, Miller has largely avoided these shots.
This approach partly reflects the Hornets’ offensive strategy under Coach Charles Lee, which favors three-point attempts and scoring in the paint. Still, Miller’s shooting percentages from that range, under 40% this season, have not convinced the coaching staff to give him more midrange looks.
During his rookie season, Miller showed promise by converting nearly half (49.4%) of his attempts from 16 feet to just inside the three-point line. However, in Thursday’s game, he struggled mightily, going 5-of-22 overall and 1-of-12 from three-point range. Notably, he attempted only one midrange shot, which he missed.
Importance of diversifying Brandon Miller’s offensive arsenal
While Miller is unlikely to match Durant’s midrange proficiency, developing this skill would give him a more well-rounded offensive game. If Miller can become a reliable midrange shooter, it would prevent defenders from focusing exclusively on guarding the three-point line and paint, opening up more scoring opportunities for him even when his preferred shots are heavily contested or not falling.
Improving his midrange effectiveness could thus enhance Miller’s overall impact on the Hornets’ offense and reduce their reliance on more limited scoring options. Given the ongoing challenges he faces, focusing on midrange shooting improvement remains a critical step in his development as a versatile scorer.
