The Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City Thunder 121-114 in a match marked by another MVP-caliber night from Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Slovenian is done with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assistswhile SGA added 42 points. A duel that we will see for years, between two cracks and with present and future.
But beyond what Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander’s display left, the game is a new paradigm solid step taken by Dallasamid a shaky 2022-2023 season: Jason Kidd’s decision to use As a starter, Tim Hardaway Jr and return to give him a central role in the team’s attack. No longer as a second scorer, but as a key member of Luca’s team.
4️⃣ three points in Q2 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/swRKOMaJZA
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 13, 2022
Hardaway started his first season and a half with Dallas, but Two seasons ago he was relegated to a sixth man role. The story started the same way in 2022-2023, but given the team’s poor results and the need to give Doncic more scoring support, Kidd decided to make the adjustment: ex-Hawks slotted into the starting five, taking the place of more defensive-minded Reggie Bullock.
The change in Hardaway’s production was immediate. As a substitute he was average 10.5 points in 23.9 minutes, shooting 31% from the field and 29% from three. A terror. However, before Monday’s game against Oklahoma City, he was averaging 18.5 points in 27.9 minutes in 8 appearances as a starter, raising his numbers to 46% from the field and 46% on 3-pointers.
Before Thunder answered again: 20 points in 29 minutes, with an outstanding 6 of 14 on 3-pointers. Dallas recorded a +15 during with him on the field, being the best differential of the game.
Whenever the Mavs pair Doncic with Hardaway, the team’s offensive production is phenomenal. Not counting what was done against the Thunder, they had 839 combined possessions, during which Dallas posted a staggering offensive rating 125.9 points per 100 possessions. And although they pay a certain price defensively (113.7 rating), they still maintain an entirely positive differential +12.2.
Simply put, whenever the Mavericks pair Luka with Hardaway, they happen to have an offense that can easily be considered the best in the entire NBA. And that, for a team with just one more win than losses on the season (14-13), is a strong point to hold onto to build for what’s to come.
There may come a time when Bullock’s defensive guarantees are needed again. But for now, it’s Tim Hardaway Jr. time again. in Dallas.
