Michigan Basketball: Tim Hardaway Jr., Mavs fall to Clippers
The Dallas Mavericks dropped Game 3 of their NBA playoff series against the Clippers. Tim Hardaway Jr. had a solid game in defeat.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and his Dallas Mavericks team could have delivered a fatal blow to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs, instead, the Clippers now have new life.
The Clippers got an outstanding performance from Kawhi Leonard as he made 13-of-17 shots and poured in 36 points in a 118-108 win.
However, in the early going, it looked like the outcome was going to be different and former Michigan basketball standout Tim Hardaway Jr. was part of an early onslaught that saw Dallas surge in front by 18 points, 26-8.
Luka Doncic continued his hot streak and poured in 44 points and actually scored the first eight of the game. Hardaway then drilled a 3-pointer to make it 11-0 and when Hardaway Jr. splashed a trey from 27 feet later in the opening stanza, Dallas led 26-8.
Yet, by the end of the quarter, the Clippers had pulled within three and led by halftime. Hardaway connected on two more 3-pointers, giving him four for the game, as well as 15 triples in three games.
Like Duncan, Robinson did last year and this season, Hardaway has made a name for himself shooting from beyond the arc. He made 39 percent during the season and in the playoffs, the Michigan basketball alum is connecting on 64.7 percent of his 3-point shots.
Hardaway Jr. made five triples in the first game and six in the second win of the series, which included a dagger 3-pointer late in the game.
While Hardaway caught fire from deep, he struggled everywhere else and was actually 0-for-8 inside the arc. Dallas as a team was held to 44 percent from the field.
The Mavs and Clippers will renew their series Sunday night at 9:30 PM EST. A win for Dallas would move it within a game of eliminating Los Angeles.
Speaking of being one game from elimination, there’s where Duncan Robinson and the Heat find themselves. After upsetting Milwaukee a year ago in the playoff bubble, the Heat are down 0-3 and could have their season end on Saturday.
If so, it’s possible it could be Robinson’s last game with the Heat. He is set for free agency and could attract big dollars with his shooting ability.