The Clippers met the Mavericks in the playoffs, and Harden's state became the key to advancement
The Mavericks beat the Heat on the road, and the Western Conference playoffs ignited. The matchup between the Clippers and the Mavericks is undoubtedly the most suspenseful battle in the first round. Although the Clippers have home-court advantage, they dare not be careless against the Mavericks.
Looking back at the history of the two teams, the Mavericks can be called the bitter master of the Clippers. Doncic, in particular, is a young core who can cause huge problems for the Clippers every time. His all-round ability and unsolvable performance put the Clippers under pressure on the defensive end. And the increasing improvement of the Mavericks lineup has given them good strength at both offensive and defensive ends.
In contrast, although the Clippers have two big men, Leonard and George, the shortcomings in other positions are also obvious. Defensively, in particular, they have lost their former dominance. Against an opponent like the Mavericks, the Clippers will have to play at a higher level on the offensive end to make up for their lack on the defensive end.
Harden's performance will be crucial at this critical juncture. As the team's core point guard, he needs to play a leading role on the offensive end and lead the team to play a fluid offense. However, Harden's recent form has been a cause for concern. His offensive inefficiency and fluctuating form have raised doubts about his playoff performance.
If Harden can't adjust to his condition, then the Clippers will face a huge challenge. Because although Leonard and George are stable, they also need Harden to be able to step up and share the pressure in key moments. Harden will need to find his rhythm and feel as soon as possible in the upcoming games in order to play his worth in the playoffs.
The showdown between the Clippers and the Mavericks is not only a contest of skills and tactics, but also a test of will and mentality. And Harden's performance will be an important factor in determining the outcome of this matchup. Let's wait and see if the core point guard can step up in key moments and lead the Clippers to victory.