“Deciphering Jason Kidd’s Late-Game Tactics: A Closer Look at Mavericks vs. Clippers Game 4”
There’s been considerable speculation surrounding Jason Kidd’s strategic choices in the closing moments of Game 4 against the Clippers, a game that saw the Mavericks fall short with a 116-111 loss. James Harden’s resurgence, particularly his proficiency with floaters reminiscent of his 2017 form, capitalized on the absence of a formidable shot-blocking presence in the paint, with Maxi Kleber assuming the center role.
Jason Kidd
Even seasoned analyst Jason Kidd Bill Simmons pondered on his podcast whether the Mavericks erred by deploying Kleber down the stretch, suggesting a reconsideration of their late-game rotations.
This raises the pivotal question: Will Jason Kidd alter his lineup strategy in clutch situations?
From February 1st until the conclusion of the regular season, the Mavericks frequently utilized a fourth-quarter lineup featuring Jason Kidd Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, PJ Washington, and Maxi Kleber. However, this lineup saw minimal action, logging only 23 minutes during that period, thus offering a limited sample size. Coach Kidd has exhibited a penchant for experimentation, exploring various five-man combinations tailored to specific game scenarios.
In Game 4’s closing moments, Kidd deployed a lineup comprising Doncic, Irving, Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kleber, a configuration that saw a mere 14 minutes of play during regular-season fourth quarters. However, in Game 4 alone, this lineup logged 10 minutes of play, during which the Mavericks maintained a +5 differential, largely fueled by a decisive 19-5 scoring spree between the 8-minute mark and Kyrie Irving’s acrobatic layup with 2:15 remaining, vaulting the Mavericks into the lead.
Nonetheless, the Clippers surged ahead in the final two minutes, outscoring the Mavericks 12-6, with Harden’s adept floaters posing a formidable challenge. Harden’s final floater placed Kleber in a precarious defensive position, torn between contesting the shot and guarding against a potential lob pass to Ivica Zubac.
In hindsight, the decision to persist with a small lineup may be scrutinized, especially considering the hindsight wisdom of deploying taller defenders like Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford. However, Coach Kidd defended his choice post-game, emphasizing the need for floor spacing and the preference to concede 2-point attempts over 3-pointers, given the Clippers’ prolific three-point shooting prowess.
While the statistics suggest potential lineup adjustments from Kidd, the series dynamics extend beyond mere rotations. Game 5, slated for Wednesday at 9 p.m. CST at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, promises to be a decisive showdown, with the series deadlocked at 2-2.
