Hoops Habit
Fansided

4 pivotal individual matchups of the NBA Play-in Tournament

By Peter O'Keefe

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 09: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets is greeted by Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks following their game at Spectrum Center on January 09, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 09: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets is greeted by Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks following their game at Spectrum Center on January 09, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NBA Play-In Tournament
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 06: Patrick Beverley #21 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers laugh as they leave the court with a lead over the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Staples Center on May 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California, 4 pivotal individual matchups of the NBA Play-in Tournament. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. LA Clippers: Patrick Beverley vs. Paul George

A fiery Patrick Beverley going against his former team and their recently returned star. What’s not to look forward to?

Sure, the 6’1″ Beverley is going in undersized against the 6’8″ Paul George, but you know the dogged defender has never skirted a challenge in his career. With Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell carrying the offensive load, expect Beverley to have the first crack at George despite the size difference.

George, a seven-time NBA All-Star, has made an admirable return from a long injury lay-off, in doing so, re-igniting the Clippers’ chances of an unlikely playoff run. Although George tried to play down the battle, this is undoubtedly a storyline that NBA fans are excited to see.

"“I’m not going through Pat. We’re going through the T-Wolves. This is not a Paul George vs. Pat Beverley match. This is not a Pat Bev vs. Clippers matchup… I’m not even going to make that the narrative.”"

New Orleans Pelicans v.s San Antonio Spurs: C.J McCollum vs. Dejounte Murray

Few believe these teams pose much of a threat in the West, yet it’s still an intriguing battle to see who can progress towards an unlikely playoff spot.

The arrival of CJ McCollum has sprung a renaissance in the Pelicans season, with the former Trailblazer pairing with Brandon Ingram to form a deadly offensive duo. McCollum has averaged 24.3 points and 5.8 assists in 26 games for New Orleans, both career highs across his ten-year NBA career.

Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray has been the bright spot of the Spurs’ season, increasing his offensive output to earn his first All-Star appearance. The fifth-year guard revealed he’s been battling illness at the worst possible time, but he did return to play 32 minutes in the Spurs’ final regular-season game.

https://twitter.com/DejounteMurray/status/1511101877366280201?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

San Antonio fans will be sweating on the health of their rising star. Not only will Murray carry the majority of the Spurs’ offensive load, but he’ll also likely be charged with the responsibility of guarding the red-hot McCollum on the defensive end.

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