Dallas Mavericks: 3 players that need to step up in Game 1 vs. Clippers

Dallas Mavericks player that needs to step up: 2. Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Mavs need a third scorer. Their star duo gets the job done on a nightly basis. Hardaway Jr. stepping up as the third option has Dallas in the playoffs. The 28-year-old averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 39.8 percent from 3-point range on the season.

The numbers jump further when looking at THJ as a starter. He excelled playing next to Luka Doncic this season. In his 58 starts, Hardaway Jr. averages 17.1 points while connecting on 45.0 percent from the field and 41.6 percent of his 3-pointers.

That production has not been there against the Clippers. They have limited him to just 9.7 points per game. He is still getting his shots, but they are not falling. Hardaway Jr. made just ten of 29 from the field and six of 19 on his threes.

The Dallas Mavericks need at least 15 points on solid efficiency from Tim Hardaway Jr. in game one. He is three of 14 on open (defender more than four feet away) 3-pointers against Clippers this season per NBA Stats. THJ must get his shot dialed in and perform well if Dallas plans on upsetting the Clippers in game one.

Next: No. 1