Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Draymond Green names key for Clippers to beat Mavericks

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/16/24

The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, with both teams believing they're capable of competing for a championship.

The Clippers have four future Hall of Fame talents on their roster, but the threat of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving cannot be overlooked.

According to Draymond Green, who has won four championships throughout his storied career, the Clippers may need to reintroduce Russell Westbrook to their starting lineup. The veteran forward believes the former MVP will be a difference-maker for L.A. head coach Tyronn Lue's team.

"At some point in this series, Ty Lue is going to have to scrap Russ off the bench and move Russ into that starting lineup in order to win this series," Green said. "That's my take."

Draymond Green thinks the Clippers should start Russell Westbrook to defend Kyrie Irving

"At some point in this series, Ty Lue is going to have to scrap Russ off the bench and move Russ into that starting lineup in order to win this series. That's my take."

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Westbrook moved to the Clippers bench at the start of the season. He volunteered to make the change so that there was more balance within the rotation following the addition of James Harden. Being the team's sixth man allows the veteran ball-handler to exploit second units and push the pace against different substitution patterns.

Nevertheless, Green is likely looking at Westbrook's athleticism as the key to slowing down Irving. If the Clippers can nullify his offensive impact on the game, they will force Doncic to try and win the series on his own. Yes, he will have his teammates around him, but without Irving, a heavy burden will rest on his shoulders. Whether Westbrook is capable of making that impact would remain to be seen.

At their best, the Clippers are among the favorites to come out of the Western Conference. They will undoubtedly feel confident of defeating Dallas over a seven-game series. Still, Green may be right, Westbrook's skill set could be the difference maker for the Clippers. The question is whether he will make that difference while coming off the bench or being slid into the starting unit.

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