'Numbers don't lie': Beverley bites at Westbrook's stats
Tension was high between Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook on Tuesday night.
The heated exchange began midway through the fourth quarter of Game 5 when Beverley intercepted a pass intended for Westbrook. Westbrook immediately grabbed Beverley around the waste to foul him and the two began to bicker.
It is unclear what exactly was said in the moment, but it had something to do with Westbrook saying he was unguardable and Beverley boasting about his defense.
“(Westbrook) looked up and said no one can guard me, I got 40 points,” Beverley told reporters after the game.
“I’m like ‘that’s nice, you took 34 shots to get it.’ I’m not up here trying to bash anybody but men lie, women lie (but) the numbers don’t. Collectively as a unit we’ve done a great job on him. We’ve tried to make him shoot a lot of tough shots and the numbers show.”
Westbrook had a slightly different take.
“He was talking ’bout how he was first team All-Defense, but I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about because I had 42 at the time,” Westbrook said. “I don’t know what he (was) talking ’bout. Maybe he was dreaming or some s''''''. I don’t know. Sorry, excuse my cuss word. But, I don’t know what he was talking about, but I guess he wanted to be first team All-Defense or something. Maybe he was dreaming about it. I don’t know.”
The Thunder won 105-99 to take the series 4-1. Westbrook finished with 47 points on 34 shots. He also had 11 rebounds and nine assists. Beverley had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder. The steal that sparked the heated conversation with Westbrook was his only steal of the game.