LOS ANGELES – Patrick Beverley and the LA Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, 111-106. In the most anticipated game leading up to Christmas Day, round two between the Clippers and Lakers did not disappoint. Beverley had his usual game: not flashy in the box score, but highly effective and clutch when his team needed him most.
Not only did Beverley come up with a crucial offensive rebound late in the Clippers' comeback win, but he also had the game-saving play by stripping LeBron James on his potential game-tying three-point attempt and sending it out of bounds.
“I just tried to make a play on a great player,” said Beverley after the game. “I went for it the first time, I kinda missed it. I didn't wanna hit him on his elbow. I kinda reached back and I was just fortunate to make a defensive play.”
Upon official review, the replay determined Beverley knocked the ball out and it went off of James' fingertips, awarding the Clippers the ball up three with 3.6 remaining in the game.
“It was great, it was big,” said Kawhi Leonard. “I think we were up three at that point with LeBron stepping back trying to shoot a three to tie the game. That gave us the ball, gave us the possession. It was just pretty much a game-winning play.”
The play was a gamble, but a worthwhile one at that. Patrick Beverley has terrific feel for the defensive side of the game, knowing players' tendencies and predicting what his opponents will do next. Sometimes, it gets him into trouble with costly fouls. Other times, like tonight, it provides a game-saving play.
“I just think the IQ of [the situation],” Beverley responded when asked about measuring the risk of a play like that. “I'm playing a basketball game. I understand that we're up three. I understand if they go for two, that puts them in that timeframe that if we get the ball, it's a free throw game. I kinda knew he was gonna go for the three, I just didn't know how. LeBron, he's one of the greatest players in the league, one of the greatest players to do it, and I just tried to put my hand and I was fortunate.”
Paul George was fouled and knocked down both free throws, making it a five point game with 1.9 remaining. The Clippers moved to 23-10 with the win while the Lakers dropped to 24-7 and have lost four consecutive games.
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