LA Clippers: Ability to contain Devin Booker claws team back into the WCF

In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, the LA Clippers lost a heartbreaker.

Deandre Ayton’s ‘Valley-Oop’ could have crushed the Clippers’ hopes for their first NBA Finals birth in history. However, that game exposed something that was nice to see.

Devin Booker, who dropped 40 on 15-29 shooting (3-7 from three), grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists, was humbled. Ty Lue’s decision to start Patrick Beverley held Booker to just 20 points on a lackluster 5 of 16 shooting night. In Game 3, we saw more of the same.

The LA Clippers know how to defend Devin Booker, and it’s pulled the Clips right back into the series.

The LA Clippers, and especially Patrick Beverley, like to give Devin Booker a hard time.

In Game 3, Booker was just 5 for 21 with 15 points. He only hit one three-pointer out of seven, and turned the ball over four times. Game 2 was perhaps his worst playoff game of the series, but Game 3 now takes the cake.

Booker seemed pestered by Pat Bev’s aggression in Game 2, and in Game 3, he just couldn’t hit any shots.

The move to start Beverley these past two games has absolutely worked out, as it took a last-second ‘Valley-Oop’ for the Suns to beat the Clippers on their homecourt, and now the Clippers ended up getting themselves their first win of the series.

This is so huge because Chris Paul came back from injury for this Game 3 contest. The Clippers didn’t care, and absolutely manhandled the Suns 106-92.

The Suns can win without Chris Paul, as they’ve won many games this postseason without him playing while 100% healthy, or not on the court at all. It’s been tough for them to win without Booker, however, and if the Clippers continue this type of defense on the star shooting guard, the Clippers will most likely tie this series up on Saturday.

There’s so much to love about this Clippers team. Not only is it the most successful one in Clipper history, but the Clippers never stop fighting, even when Kawhi isn’t here.

This team knows how to respond to adversity, and they’ve continued to prove that as the season has gone on.