MINNEAPOLIS – Nuggets coach Michael Malone insists the changes in offensive philosophy have skewed more toward subtle that anything significant. More players authorized to handle the ball up the court off of defensive rebounds to keep the pace high, fewer play calls to allow for more freedom of movement, things like that, he says.

But an old thorn is back early on –- a lack of consistent shooting.

It sticks out because it is the final piece to what would be the NBA’s highest-scoring offense if it was not an issue. The Nuggets are shooting just 40.9 percent from the field, which is 29th in the NBA. But they’re a solid 10th in the league in scoring at 107.3 points per game.

Why?

The free-throw line.

The Nuggets dominate the NBA at the charity stripe, getting there so many times that though they are in the middle of the pack in percentage (77.6) they lead the league in total makes and average made per game. The Nuggets hoist a league-leading 35.7 shots per game from the free-throw line, and that has helped supplement an offense that has gotten out to a cold shooting start. Related Articles November 2, 2016 With injured players out, Nuggets rookie Jamal Murray ready for extended minutes

November 1, 2016 Injured Nuggets welcome a couple days off to get healthy

October 12, 2016 Nuggets Mailbag Form: Submit questions here

“Every day we spend a lot of time talking about and working on our finishing, because it has to be better,” said Malone, who noted the Nuggets were third in the league in getting to the rim but 30th in finishing shots there. “We miss way too many easy shots, shots that we have to convert. From the perimeter, I think we’re getting pretty good shots.”

They just have to make them.

This number is how close the Nuggets are to being a devastating offensive team: 3.3. If the Nuggets made that many more shots in each game so far, it would put them at 10 more made shots in the first three games. Using their same percentage distribution of 2-point shots and 3-point shots, those 10 extra made shots would break down to seven 2-point shots and three 3-point shots, totaling 23 extra points.

Those added points would give the Nuggets 345 on the season, which breaks down to 115 per game, and that number would lead the NBA. That’s how close the Nuggets are to putting up huge numbers. But at the same time they are far away because making shots just doesn’t come at the snap of a finger.

“When we get paint threes, when the ball touches the paint or we have a roller to the rim, we’re shooting very well,” Malone said. “We need more of those shots. And then got to continue to work for the best shot possible, eliminate the long twos and get open threes and shots at the rim, and I think we’ll be fine.”

DENVER AT MINNESOTA, 6 p.m. Thursday, ALT2, 950 AM

Spotlight on Karl-Anthony Towns: As a rookie last season, Towns’ first real eye-opening moment came against the Nuggets in his second game as a pro. He scored 28 points with 14 rebounds and four blocked shots, ushering in the official start of what turned out to be a rookie of the year season. He’s off to a good, not great, start this season with averages of 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

Nuggets: Denver will be without injured shooting guards Gary Harris (groin) and Will Barton (ankle). Jamal Murray is expected to see additional playing time, and perhaps Malik Beasley as well. … Darrell Arthur (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, and is in good position to make his season debut.

Wolves: Minnesota just locked in power forward Gorgui Dieng to a contract extension of four years and $64 million. Dieng has gotten off to a hot start with averages of 14.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. … Minnesota will not have point guard Ricky Rubio (sprained right elboy). Rookie Kris Dunn is expected to get the start in his place.