The three-pointer has taken the league by storm in recent years. 20 years ago, NBA teams averaged 15.8 three-point attempts per game. 10 years ago, the average jumped to 22.4. Now, teams are launching 37.5 triples per game.
The Bulls are above the norm, launching the second-most three-pointers per game in the NBA at 43.8. Thus far, Chicago has been one of the more efficient shooting teams in the league, converting 38.4 percent of three-pointers. However, the Bulls' conversion rate dropped considerably following a 109-95 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Chicago connected on 14 triples but needed 51 attempts to do so. The Bulls shot a lowly 27.5 percent in the victory. Typically, such a low percentage wouldn't amount to a Chicago win. The Bulls have struggled when three-pointers haven't fallen, and rightfully so after relying so heavily on the three-ball.
However, Chicago's putrid three-point percentage trumped the Hornets'. Charlotte shot a miserable 17.4 percent from beyond the arc on Friday night. The Hornets only connected on 8-of-46 three-point attempts. Without LaMelo Ball in the lineup, Charlotte failed to muster good looks.
Brandon Miller shot 3-of-15 from beyond the arc, Vasilije Micic 1-of-7, Josh Green 1-of-5, and Cody Martin 1-of-5 were among the most inaccurate shooters a night ago. Prior to Friday night, the Hornets were a middling three-point shooting team, ranking 15th in the NBA. Now, the Hornets are 17th, converting 35.6 percent of their triples after the porous showing.
Bulls and Hornets set record for most missed three-pointers in an NBA game
The Hornets and Bulls made history last night! pic.twitter.com/P4zifHVnnd
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) December 14, 2024
The dreadful shooting night happened to be a record-setter. The 75 combined three-point misses were the most in regulation in NBA history. Chicago and Charlotte needed just 48 minutes of action to combine for the miserable performance. After it was all said and done, the teams combined to shoot 22-of-97 from beyond the arc—a 22.6 percent showing.
The inaccuracy led to both teams shooting below 40.0 percent from the floor. 95 points for the Hornets wasn't a season-low. Charlotte has now scored less than the century mark on six occasions this season. Similarly, although to a greater extent, the Bulls have now scored less than 110 points on six separate occasions thus far.