DALLAS — Although they may have never found themselves in the starting lineup had it not been for injuries to two veterans, guard J.J. Barea and high-energy forward Al-Farouq Aminu both left their mark on the Dallas Mavericks’ much-needed Game 4 win Sunday night to stave off elimination.
In a 0-3 hole entering Sunday’s fourth matchup against the second-seeded Houston Rockets, the shorthanded Mavericks (1-3) looked to extend their season at least one more game with a victory in front of their hometown crowd. However, while already playing without four-time All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo (back) and small forward Chandler Parsons (right knee), the Mavs would then go into battle with two of their starters during Friday’s 130-128 loss at home admittedly battling through aches and pains.