{"id":135259,"date":"2025-04-20T21:46:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T01:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=135259"},"modified":"2025-04-20T21:46:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T01:46:49","slug":"clippers-lost-russell-westbrook-gamble-but-they-will-roll-dice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/20\/clippers-lost-russell-westbrook-gamble-but-they-will-roll-dice\/","title":{"rendered":"Clippers Lost Russell Westbrook Gamble But They Will Roll Dice"},"content":{"rendered":"

The LA Clippers<\/a> made a bold gamble in Game 1, they sagged off Russell Westbrook<\/a>. Their goal? Get an extra defender in the paint or double-team Nikola Jokic.<\/a> 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\u2019t mean he was efficient.<\/p>\n

Clippers Lost Russell Westbrook Gamble But They Will Roll Dice Again<\/h2>\n

Game 1 Didn’t Go as Planned \u2014 Or Did It?<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But the overall numbers? Not great. Westbrook took the third-most shots on the Nuggets<\/a>. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

If given the same scenario ten times\u2014Westbrook taking 17 shots\u2014the Clippers’ coaching staff would sign up for it ten out of ten times.<\/p>\n

Familiarity Breeds Strategy<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Yes, Westbrook hit a big shot. But overall, he almost took as many shots as Jamal Murray.<\/a>\u00a0 That\u2019s not how Denver usually wins. The Clippers can live with that.<\/p>\n

Why the Clippers Will Double Down<\/h3>\n

This isn\u2019t a one-game adjustment. It\u2019s a series-long gamble. The Clippers want the ball in Westbrook\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s the tradeoff with him\u2014flashes of brilliance paired with moments of chaos.<\/p>\n

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and standout assistant, Jeff Van Gundy will bet on chaos. And inefficient volume shooting.<\/p>\n