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Gilgeous-Alexander, Sexton highlight final meeting between LA Clippers, Cavs

By Garrett Chorpenning

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 22: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 110-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 22: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Clippers defeated the Cavaliers 110-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon in what should make for another great battle between rookie point guards.

Last Friday, the LA Clippers met the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home floor, barely escaping with a 110-108 win. Danilo Gallinari and Kevin Love were the highest scorers on their teams, going for 27 points and 22 points, respectively. However, their battle of shooting bigs was overshadowed by a different positional one.

Rookie point guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Collin Sexton met for the first time on an NBA floor, and each put together a performance reflective of their seasons so far.

LA’s Gilgeous-Alexander went for 16 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals in 34 minutes of action — stuffing the stat sheet in typical fashion. He also shot 5/11 overall from the floor, including a make from deep, and made all five of his attempts from the free throw line.

Sexton, on the other hand, logged 20 points, four rebounds and an assist in 30 minutes. He’s been playing upwards of 38 minutes per game lately, but foul trouble kept him from doing so against the Clippers.

Both point guards are among the best this rookie class has to offer, and should be locked into a tight battle that determines who makes the All-Rookie First Team and who lands on the Second Team.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s numbers don’t quite give him the edge over Sexton to this point, though Shai’s production over the last month certainly draws him closer. Rather, what’ll likely carry the Clippers rookie is his team’s record and his role on it.

Although Sexton and Gilgeous-Alexander have both been starting for their respective teams for the bulk of the season, Shai has been one of the driving forces behind LA’s run to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Sexton’s Cavs have just 19 wins on the season.

Of course, the Clippers are a far more talented team than the Cavaliers are. There’s no Lou Williams or Montrezl Harrell in Cleveland. But in a way, that almost gives Gilgeous-Alexander more credit. With as deep as the Clippers are, the fact that he’s maintained the starting role since he first took over in November is as important a piece to his case as anything else. And we all know Doc Rivers tends not to play rookies, too.

Both point guards will likely look to use Saturday afternoon’s game as a reason for the league’s coaches to choose one over the other, and we can expect strong efforts from each as soon as the game tips off.

Injury Report

The LA Clippers will likely get Patrick Beverley back for Saturday’s game, who missed Thursday’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks with a hip pointer. Lou Williams is expected to return to the lineup as well after resting against the Bucks.

Danilo Gallinari is questionable with a sore left ankle and could sit on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s game with the Memphis Grizzlies. Luc Mbah a Moute underwent surgery on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the season.

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The LA Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers will take the floor at STAPLES Center at 12:30 PM PST.

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