LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends against Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on November 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers’ instigator got under Damian Lillard’s skin on Saturday
On Saturday, the Portland Trail Blazers received the news that the Los Angeles Clippers would not be playing Kawhi Leonard, Montrezl Harrell and Patrick Beverley during their game. That meant the Trail Blazers had the advantage to walk out with the win and gain ground on the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
That didn’t happen, as the Trail Blazers fell to the Clippers by the score of 122-117. In the closing seconds, Portland point guard Damian Lillard approached the free throw line with the chance to give the Blazers the lead. Unfortunately for “Dame,” he shot bricks at the charity stripe to secure the Clippers victory.
Afterwards, cameras caught Beverley laughing at Lillard’s expense alongside Marcus Morris from the Clippers bench while mockingly chanting “Dame Time.”
Blazers back to the drawing board
Lillard unloaded on Beverley’s antics during a post game press conference. He reminded the media that he sent Beverley home in the past and he did the same to Paul George last year on his clutch game-winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in last year’s NBA playoffs. “Dame” was not having it.
This was the perfect opportunity for the Trail Blazers to cut into Memphis’ hold of the eighth seed, but it just wasn’t enough. Lillard successfully made 10-of-his-23 shot attempts to score 22 points in the contest, but he was a brutal 2-of-10 from behind the three-point line.
Meanwhile, the Clippers won with solid performances by Paul George (21 points), Landry Shamet (19 points) and Reggie Jackson (17 points).
The bad blood is brewing between the Clippers and Blazers. Admit it, you want these two squads to face off against each other in the playoffs. We certainly do!