If you know your NBA history, you know the names.
Go back to John Paxson helping put a ring on Michael Jordan’s finger in 1993 against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns.
Or Robert Horry giving Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant a clear path to the championship with his 3-pointer against Sacramento in 2002.
Or, closer to home, Steve Kerr’s late 3-point barrage in Game 6 in 2003 that was the push needed by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to get the Spurs past the Mavericks, their toughest foe, as it turned out, on their way to the title.
It’s happened so many times. An unheralded role player makes the shot or shots that boost the superstar and his team.
The might not be as big — or maybe it will turn out to be every bit as big — but the Mavericks are getting a vintage, surprising performance during this playoff run.
What Davis Bertāns has done lately in the Western Conference semifinals has been prop up the Mavericks when they need it the most. He hit four first-half 3-pointers in Game 4 to help level the series at 2-2. Then knocked in three of four from beyond the arc on Tuesday at Phoenix in Game 5.
While that showing didn’t lead to a win, it did remind the Suns that they still have to pay a lot of attention to the quick-trigger 3-point shooting that Bertans brings to the Mavericks.
With a do-or-die Game 6 on Thursday night, the need for a step-up performance from somebody like Bertans will be critical.
“Davis was on fire,” coach Jason Kidd said of his performance after Game 4. “And this time of year, it’s always someone you don’t talk about that can give you a lift and Davis was that for us, being able to knock those threes down in the first half. The bench was big. It was a great team win.”
And all through it, Luka Dončić was smiling and nodding and cajoling his teammates to keep shooting.
Bertans is one of those shooters that, when he’s hot, the defense cannot stray from him. That makes life that much easier for Luka, Jalen Brunson and everybody else in a Mavericks’ uniform.
The Mavericks weren’t necessarily banking on this hot streak by Bertans. But these things happen in the playoffs and the Mavericks will happily take it.
“I got good looks and made them,” Bertāns said. “That’s it. Of course, it feels good, but at the same time everyone knows that’s what I do.”
The Mavericks had been more of a one-trick pony in the first two games of this series, with Dončić scoring 80 points and the rest of the starters only putting up 70 as the Mavericks fell behind 2-0.
Then, everybody began chipping in as the series shifted to Dallas. And in Game 4, the bench was sensational.
“That is always a big deal every game, not just the playoffs,” Bertāns said. “You have the guys bailing out the starters. Very often that boost comes when the team is leading, and the second unit comes in and lifts the team up even more. That just gives more confidence to the team and the starters for the rest of the game.”
And, it gives the Suns one more thing to think about defensivel as the Mavericks try to hold serve and force a Game 7 in this series that has been riveting from start to finish.
And the role players will have to play a part.
“They’re at the party,” Kidd said. “One of the big things we talked about on this journey is we understand Luka’s talent and how good he is.
“But for us to be a team, there are going to be times when other guys have to make shots. They (the Suns) are going to take the ball out of his hands.”
In stepped Bertāns in Games 4 and 5.
And it’s not just the players who deserve credit for being ready after not always getting a chance through long stretches of the season. It’s the coaching staff, too, said Maxi Kleber.
“It says a lot about the guys that are on the team, but also about the staff and everybody around because everybody stays ready,” Kleber said. “You never know when you’re chance comes. Obviously, Bertans came in with big shots and played well for us, but also Frank. He didn’t play much, comes in, makes a big 3-pointer and gets stops on defense. It shows the mentality to prepare and stay ready.”
These things have a way of permeating a team and becoming part of the culture and not just lip service.
And there may yet be other players under the radar who are asked to carry more of the load, Kidd said.
“It’s great to see Davis stay ready, works extremely hard. Frank does the same,” he said. “They’ve both been ready when we’ve asked them to play. Frank is doing a great job for us.
“Josh (Green) is going to get another chance at it here at some point, but Frank has been really good since we called on him. And Davis was big in the last game.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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