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MIAMI, FL - MAY 31: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots over Brendan Haywood #33 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half in Game One of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on May 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Mavericks backup center Brendan Haywood is planning to test his injured hip Tuesday afternoon to see if he would be able to play in Game 4 of the NBA finals a few hours later.
Haywood says he would try sprinting and changing directions either after a morning shootaround or closer to game time.
The decision would be simple: If he could do those things close to full speed, he would play. If not, he wouldn't.
Haywood strained his right hip during Game 2 against the Miami Heat. Through rest and treatment, the swelling has gone down enough that he thought there was a chance he could return.
Dallas trails 2-1 in the series.