The Rockets vs. Thunder duel came down to the final possession on Friday, and Russell Westbrook had a chance to win it. Instead, Patrick Beverley completely smothered him, not only keeping him out of the lane, but also forcing him into a contested three-pointer which Westbrook air balled.
Patrick Beverley forced a wild Russell Westbrook air ball on a game-deciding play
Beverley has a long history of annoying Westbrook, and he was right back at it on Friday.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
That’s superb defense, and it’s a huge reason why the Rockets are 10-2 since Beverley returned from an injury that hampered him early in the season.
Beverley was annoying Westbrook all game, though — not just on the final possession.
This is probably a flop, and definitely an infuriating play even if it was exactly the right call. But hey, while Westbrook picked up his seventh straight triple-double, he also shot eight-of-25 with eight turnovers.
Westbrook and Beverley have a history, after all. Westbrook tore his meniscus in 2014 on a play involving Beverley that Westbrook later said was completely unnecessary.
A year later, Beverley went for a steal in the same sort of way, and Westbrook flipped out about it.
Relations between Beverley and Westbrook have calmed down, but only slightly. And this game between the two will surely do nothing to help. Westbrook earned the loss, and what was Beverley’s reaction to it all?
Just a chest bump that almost knocks Houston coach Mike D’Antoni over.
He felt bad about it, at least!
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