LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley did not start in either Game 3 or Game 4 in the Clips’ playoff series vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
Patrick Beverley struggled on both ends of the court for the LA Clippers in Games 1 and 2.
It wasn’t that he was shooting terribly. He was 5 for 10 from the field and 3 for 7 from deep. But he wasn’t providing much of a presence for the Mavericks to need to attend to.
At many times it appeared as if the Mavs weren’t paying much attention to him. Scoring 13 total points and dishing out only three total assists in those two games, he didn’t take advantage of the Mavs leaving him alone.
On defense, he didn’t look like the strong defensive guard we’re used to.
Luka big bucket on Pat Bev late, has words for him all the way down the floor pic.twitter.com/lPAwTADLdb
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 26, 2021
Luka Doncic had it his way when Beverley was guarding him. Beverley fouled Mavericks six times and had a +/- of -24 in the two losses of the series. The Clippers lost by a total of 16 points combined.
LA Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue had to give the Mavericks a new look, and start Reggie Jackson at the point in Games 3 and 4.
By now you know that the Clips took those two games, and Reggie Jackson did a solid job in both contests. He shot 6 of 12 from the field and 4 of 10 from behind the three-point line in Game 3, scoring 16 points and passing out four assists. In Game 4, he was 5 of 12 (3 of 8 from three) for 15 points and grabbed five boards.
Jackson’s +/- in Game 4 was +18, and Beverley struggled in his 11 combined minutes in the two contests. He didn’t record a single assist or steal, and was 1 for 5 from the field, attempting one three-point shot and missing.
Things went pretty well for the team as a whole with Jackson starting. If Pat Bev was going to earn some playing time back, he was going to have to impress in the very limited chances he got, and didn’t.
He didn’t have much of a shot as he was given just 11 minutes, but that’s not necessarily a good sign either.
Patrick Beverley has played very sharp basketball in the past, particularly on the defensive end. The issue with him taking on a big role in this series, however, is that when he’s been matched up with Doncic, Luka has taken advantage of Beverley being just 6’1″ (six inches shorter than Doncic).
Beverley would have to shine on defense to make and earn an impact on this series, and he’s also not a guy who’s going to come in and produce at a high level on offense every night.
Jackson was 1 for 6 in Game 1 with two points and three bricks from downtown. Lue started him two games later, after he had a bit of a bounce-back performance in Game 2. It goes to show that Lue will keep an open mind for who takes the point guard spot.
Jackson, unlike Beverley, however, did bounce back. Beverley is yet to have an improved performance, and Lue won’t fix it if it ain’t broke.
So far in this series, Jackson has earned the starting spot he’s received over the past two games, and Beverley isn’t performing up to par.
After losing the first two at home with Beverley in the starting lineup, they immediately flipped the script and took two from Dallas in their own house with Jackson in the picture.
Beverley’s been in this league for a while now, and is typically better than what he’s shown this series. He may have blown his opportunity for significant playing time in this series.