Few teams did a better job than the Nuggets last season and avoiding the temptation of reaching in on James Harden and allowing him to draw fouls.
Among Western Conference teams, only the Spurs sent Harden to the line less last season than the Nuggets. But Harden took 17 free throws on Saturday in Denver, twice catching the Nuggets reaching as he prepared to shoot 3s, leading Nuggets coach Mike Malone to reinforce his directives on defending the player that draws the most fouls in the NBA.
"You have to do a great job to defend with your feet and your chest and show your hands," Malone said.