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LA Clippers: Patrick Beverley’s defense will be key versus Kyrie Irving

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers is introduced ahead of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers is introduced ahead of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers face the Brooklyn Nets for the second time this season on Sunday. This time, however, they will have their point guard, Patrick Beverley to help stop the Nets elite offensive game.

He was unable to play in the February 2 game as he nursed a sore knee. That mattered as the Nets big three got rolling, especially point guard Kyrie Irving.

Patrick Beverley will be key this time for the LA Clippers in stopping Irving.

In the loss in Brooklyn, Irving caught fire, converting on 15 of his 23 shots from the field. This, along with three points from the charity stripe led him to a game-high 39 points. Both James Harden and Kevin Durant played in that contest, which meant the Clippers’ star defenders (Kawhi Leonard and Paul George) had their attention elsewhere.

With Beverley back tonight, however, the Clippers can rest assured that Irving will have a much harder time scoring. With Kevin Durant not playing tonight, that also means that Irving will likely have a more prominent role in the offense.

Sure, James Harden is still probably higher on the food chain for Brooklyn’s offense but last game proved that Kyrie can go off any given time. Beverley will have to stay aggressive on defense but ensure he finds the balance between aggressiveness and wreckless. Giving cheap, early fouls to the Nets will only hurt the Clips.

Friday night’s win over the Utah Jazz is something he should try and recreate. He was outstanding on Donovan Mitchell, who even said so himself citing that there’s a reason Beverley is a First Team All-Defense player. If Beverley can bother Irving and the Nets get one-dimensional, the Clips could pull off a sizable victory.

dark. Next. 3 things to watch for versus the Brooklyn Nets

The last time the two were matched up against each other (2018-19), Beverley only guarded Irving for 2:09. In that short amount of time, Irving was just 0-2 from the field with a single assist. That’s not really any sort of sample size, so tonight should be a real treat and potentially a taste of a Finals point guard matchup.

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