5 Mavericks players who must play better down the stretch to boost playoff chances

2. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. has been going through his roughest stretch since being on the Mavs lately, and they need him to be better for the team to have a chance at contending for a title this season, especially if Jason Kidd insists on playing him.

This season for Dallas, Hardaway Jr. is averaging 16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from downtown. Just like Derrick Jones Jr., Hardway Jr. started great from downtown this season, but has fizzed out since.

Hardaway Jr. seems to be taking worse shots than usual, his defense has been poor, and he has been causing Dallas' offense to be worse. He typically doesn't move the ball when he is on the floor, and if he continues shooting bad shots even when he's missing, the Mavs' offense stalls.

Hardaway Jr.'s shooting has always been something that helps make or break the Mavs' games, and it would be a massive advantage for the Mavs if he can get back to being a consistent shooter. He has always been streaky, but his streakiness has turned to poor play recently.

Hardaway Jr. still has a chance to turn things around this season since he is in the rotation, but if his struggles never improve he could be someone who doesn't have much of a role during the final stretch of the season.