Hoops Habit
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The time is now for Russell Westbrook and the Clippers

By Rob Greene

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers reacts to a Clipper lead during a 176-175 double overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers reacts to a Clipper lead during a 176-175 double overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers smiles on the bench during warm up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers smiles on the bench during warm up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Westbrook’s Clippers debut

The Kings spoiled Westbrook’s debut Friday night defeating the Clippers 176-175 in double overtime. A few opportunities to put the beam to sleep, the former Kentucky backcourt in De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk navigated the comeback combining for 87 points. It was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with the most points recorded since 1983.

Westbrook had the crowd cheering since the introduction in the starting lineup. The 2017 MVP gave the audience a spark lifted them with oohs and ahhs with his playmaking in the beginning igniting others along with the fans. Russ had eight assists in his first 18 minutes.

The nine-time All-Star finished with 17 points, 14 assists and five rebounds shooting 7-13 from the field. He made some of the games biggest plays, not just in the assist column in transition like the Clippers want from him, but using that speed of his to attack and score. Russ also hit a huge triple in OT on the drive-and-kick from his good friend in George.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1629381928494436355?s=20

Friday night’s tough, unprecedented loss for the momentum-gaining Clippers was only a little glimpse of the beginning of what Russ could provide for the Finals-desperate Clips. Acquiring a quarterback of this caliber could be the cherry on top for likable midseason moves that the team has made with the world waiting on them to achieve their goals the last few years.

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