Russell Westbrook smelled blood in the water, revealed himself too soon, then still captured his prey anyway.
It was the first quarter at Ball Arena, and the Nuggets led the Clippers 19-13 after DeAndre Jordan scored and got fouled. With Jordan famously a horrible free throw shooter — 47.5% in his career, 35% this season — Westbrook went hunting for an offensive rebound.
Maybe it helped that Denver was hosting his former team. That is Michael Malone’s theory, at least.
“I don’t know if you guys notice,” he said after a 126-103 win.