3. Patrick Beverley
The LA Clippers’ starting point guard has been getting heat throughout the offseason from fans of the team to outside sources. There have been several reports that the team has been shopping around via trade or free agency for an offensively gifted point guard. Patrick Beverley has been improving on setting up plays and scoring situations in just these games alone.
He has still shown to be one of the most dominant defensive point guards in the NBA. He gave Lakers’ guard Dennis Shroder and Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray some difficulties scoring efficiency. This Sunday, Beverley will go against one of the most dynamic and explosive offensive stars in the NBA in Luka Doncic.
In his two games this season, Doncic has averaged 29.5 points per game, which eighth in the league overall as well as third of the players who have played two games. He also leads the Mavericks in rebounds per game (6) and assists per game (6). He is a player that can take control of the entire court and can create easy scoring situations.
In the first round against the Clippers, Doncic had huge moments when the Clippers failed to assign the most efficient defender on him. In this first matchup of the new NBA season, Clippers’ first-year head coach Ty Lue cannot assign weak defenders like Reggie Jackson or Lou Williams to cover him.
Much of the Clippers’ success on Sunday will come from their ability to slow down or shut down Doncic. This will be a field that for Beverley to have his best game in these three games of the season.