Sports
Nuggets’ Michael Malone Throws Shade at Patrick Beverley over Jokic Comments
Kevin C. Cox/Associated PressDenver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone defended his All-Star center by throwing shade at Patrick Beverley. Despite Nikola Jokic putting up 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals, the Los Angeles Clippers took a 2-1 series lead thanks to a 113-107 win Monday night. Afterward, Beverley…
Kevin C. Cox/Associated Press
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone defended his All-Star center by throwing shade at Patrick Beverley.
Despite Nikola Jokic putting up 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals, the Los Angeles Clippers took a 2-1 series lead thanks to a 113-107 win Monday night.
Afterward, Beverley told reporters that Jokic does “a lot of flailing, you know, puts a lot of pressure on referees to make the right call.”
Speaking to the media Tuesday, Malone dismissed Beverley's comments:
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Mike Malone on Patrick Beverley’s flailing comments about Nikola Jokic: “I don’t listen to Patrick Beverley a whole lot. If Kawhi Leonard was talking, maybe I would listen to it. Kawhi’s a great player. … They shot 26 free throws, we shot 10.”
Beverley's comments stemmed in part because Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who was tasked with defending Jokic, fouled out in just 22 minutes. Beverley was the only L.A. starter to finish with a minus rating (-13) and ended up with seven points.
Malone did point out the free-throw disparity between the two teams in the game. The Nuggets were called for six more fouls (26) than the Clippers (20). Jokic only attempted four free throws in Game 3 and 10 in the series so far.
The Clippers were able to win after outscoring Denver 29-19 in the fourth quarter. The victory moved them two wins away from the franchise's first appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
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