The LA Clippers fell in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals to Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz. One guy who saw a surprisingly limited role in the opening game was Clippers guard Patrick Beverley.
Beverley had been one of the Clippers' best players to throw at Donovan Mitchell defensively over the last few years. While he hasn't necessarily stopped him, Beverley has clearly made his life tougher.
In fact, Mitchell praised Beverley following their February 19th game at Staples Center. The fourth year guard finished with 35 points on 12-of-27 shooting that night, but was hounded by Beverley throughout the night.
“Gotta give credit to Patrick Beverley, he’s first team All-Defense for a reason,” Donovan Mitchell said after the Clippers win. “Made my life hard to start the game. He kind of set the tone and I think that was just a credit to him. I'll give him credit for that. For me, seeing that and just finding ways to play through that…
“As far as the early struggles, give Pat his credit. He’s a hell of a defender. They all did a great job, but as a group, I think it kind of helped me get going when guys are kind of telling me what they see, being able to share the ball, being able to bring the ball up, being able to score, doing all these different things.”
"Gotta give credit to Patrick Beverley. He’s first team All-Defense for a reason. Made my life hard to start the game. That kind of set the tone… Give Pat his credit. He’s a hell of a defender."
Donovan Mitchell on Patrick Beverley back in February 👀pic.twitter.com/ery5hlqty5
— Clippers Nation (@ClipperNationCP) June 10, 2021
Beverley went scoreless in six first-half minutes in the Clippers Game 1 loss, but was a +6 in those limited minutes. Head coach Tyronn Lue says he liked what he saw from Beverley, as well as DeMarcus Cousins, and will likely go to both of them more moving forward in the series.
“You will see them some more,” Lue said during Wednesday's availability between Games 1 and 2. “Game 1's, I like to play a lot of guys to see who can play in the series and I knew coming in after a Game 7 with one day in between and a travel day and with the altitude that we had to play a lot of guys in that first half.
“Everybody came off the bench and played a big role and played great. Some tough decisions to be made going into Game 2 tomorrow, but I did like what I saw from Pat and Boogie.”
Donovan Mitchell erupted for a 45 points on 16-of-30 shooting. Thirty-two of those points came in the second half, when the Jazz outscored the Clippers 65-49.
Cousins also played just four minutes in the first half, scoring six points, grabbing three rebounds, and blocking one shot during his stint.
Tyronn Lue and the Clippers nearly had Game 1, but let it slip after giving up a 13-point halftime lead. With some potential lineup changes coming, the Clippers will look to recover from their Game 1 loss, contain Donovan Mitchell, and win Game 2 on Thursday night.
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