Mavs coach Jason Kidd challenges Tim Hardaway Jr. after Stephen Curry-like Game 4
06/16/2024 10:27 PM
Before Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, Tim Hardaway Jr., known for his sharpshooting, had been in a scoring slump for several weeks. In Game 3, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd took a chance by giving him extended minutes off the bench in hopes of igniting the team, but unfortunately, Hardaway didn’t make much of an impact.
Following his lackluster performance in Game 3, where Hardaway Jr. went 0 for 5 and ended with a -16 in just 19 minutes, he was surely out of the primary rotation for Game 4 on Friday night.
Tim Hardaway Jr. looking like one of the greats
However, due to Game 4's early one-sidedness due to the Mavericks’ dominance, it enabled Jason Kidd to empty his bench, aiming to boost confidence, particularly for Hardaway. In response, Hardaway Jr. nailed five 3-pointers during the 4th quarter, a feat shared only with Ray Allen and Stephen Curry as the sole players to achieve 5+ threes in an NBA Finals quarter.
"He looked like Ray [Allen] and Steph [Curry]. So we're gonna need that here in Game 5… Hopefully, he's able to knock down those same shots."
Jason Kidd on Tim Hardaway Jr.'s performance in Game 4
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“He looked like Ray [Allen] and Steph [Curry]. So we're gonna need that here in Game 5,” the Mavericks' head coach said of Hardaway Jr.’s Game 4 performance. “… Hopefully, he's able to knock down those same shots.”
Hardaway Jr.’s recent NBA Finals performance, which tied him with some of the league’s legendary 3-point shooters, underscored his ongoing ability to be a dynamic threat from long range.
The Mavericks, along with everyone else, understand that pulling off the first 3-0 comeback in NBA history requires a tremendous collective effort. Not only is it unprecedented, but Dallas must also win three consecutive games, including two away games, against a historically dominant Boston Celtics team.
All hands on deck for the Dallas Mavericks
A central theme of the series has been Boston’s significant talent advantage, extending from their top player to the final rotation spot. While Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving form an exceptional offensive pair, their individual brilliance may not be enough to overcome the Celtics alone.
For Dallas to achieve the seemingly impossible, they will require unheralded heroes to step up and make an impact.
Despite Hardaway Jr.’s limited minutes during the Mavericks’ remarkable playoff journey, he remains a crucial component for Dallas due to his consistent contributions over eleven seasons, despite being just 31. Throughout his six-year tenure with the team, he has maintained averages of 15.2 points per game and a 37.3 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. This season alone, he played 79 games and averaged 14.4 points per game.
Tim Hardaway Jr. connected on four of his three-pointers from catch-and-shoot situations, along with executing a contested stepback jumper, showcasing his ability to make difficult shots consistently. Known for his streaky shooting, characterized by significant peaks and valleys, Hardaway’s inconsistency played a role in his limited playing time during this playoff stretch, resulting in him being benched at times.
Hardaway Jr.’s standout performance in Game 4 raises questions about whether he’ll see more playing time in Game 5, especially given his recent struggles.
Nevertheless, the Mavericks will need every player at their best in this crucial matchup against a determined Celtics squad and a boisterous Boston crowd hungry for a championship.
If PJ Washington, Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Tim Hardaway can improve their shooting efficiency and contribute effectively, Dallas has a chance to upset Boston in Game 5 and turn this year's NBA Finals into a real series.
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