The LA Clippers made a bold gamble in Game 1, they sagged off Russell Westbrook. Their goal? Get an extra defender in the paint or double-team Nikola Jokic. Westbrook, a career 30.5% three-point shooter, seemed like a smart target for this strategy. It was a calculated gamble with a high potential reward. They dared Westbrook to shoot. He did. But that doesn’t mean he was efficient.
Clippers Lost Russell Westbrook Gamble But They Will Roll Dice Again
Game 1 Didn’t Go as Planned — Or Did It?
Westbrook scored 15 points on 5-for-17 shooting. He hit a clutch three in the final minute of regulation. He also grabbed offensive rebounds and played high-energy defense. Those moments stood out.
But the overall numbers? Not great. Westbrook took the third-most shots on the Nuggets. That’s a trade-off the Clippers will take every time. He shot just 29.4% from the field. Despite the late heroics, that inefficiency is exactly what the Clippers wanted.
If given the same scenario ten times—Westbrook taking 17 shots—the Clippers’ coaching staff would sign up for it ten out of ten times.
Familiarity Breeds Strategy
The Clippers know Westbrook well. He played for them over the past two seasons. They understand both his strengths and his flaws. That knowledge shaped their Game 1 plan. They believed they could live with his long-range attempts and high-volume shooting.
Yes, Westbrook hit a big shot. But overall, he almost took as many shots as Jamal Murray. That’s not how Denver usually wins. The Clippers can live with that.
Why the Clippers Will Double Down
This isn’t a one-game adjustment. It’s a series-long gamble. The Clippers want the ball in Westbrook’s hands. They prefer him making decisions over Jokic or Murray. Jokic rarely turns the ball over. Westbrook? He’s more prone to poor decisions and forced shots.
Even in Game 1, Westbrook showed his downside. Late in regulation, he drove into traffic and forced a pass that resulted in a turnover. That’s the tradeoff with him—flashes of brilliance paired with moments of chaos.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and standout assistant, Jeff Van Gundy will bet on chaos. And inefficient volume shooting.
Betting on the Law of Averages
Westbrook’s clutch three was the outlier, not the norm. His career numbers say as much. The Clippers believe the law of averages will favor them the longer the series goes on.
They’ll keep giving him space. They’ll let him fire away. Most games, they expect the results to hurt Denver more than help it. Westbrook took 17 shots. He made 5. The Clippers love that math.
High Risk, High Reward
Westbrook remains a high-risk player. His energy and confidence can change games. But he also can lose them. The Nuggets embraced the good with the bad in Game 1. It paid off. But over a series, the Clippers will take their chances. They’ll let him take tough shots. The Clippers will crash the glass. They’ll run when he misses.
The Strategy Isn’t New
Other teams have done this before. They’ve dared Westbrook to beat them. Sometimes he has. Often, he hasn’t. This isn’t about disrespect. It’s about probability.
Coaches in the playoffs make choices based on tendencies. Westbrook’s shooting remains a weak spot. That’s where the Clippers will attack.
Expect More of the Same
Game 1 didn’t go their way. But the Clippers aren’t changing course on their Russell Westbrook gamble. They’ll continue to sag off Westbrook. They’ll double Jokic, cut off lanes, and close out on shooters. And they’ll keep rolling the dice on Westbrook’s decision-making and high shot volume.
They lost the first gamble. But it’s a long game. They’ll keep betting until the odds shift their way.
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