Hardy’s party a big difference in victory over Blazers

Thursday truly was a Jaden Hardy party hosted by the Dallas Mavericks’ third-year guard.

Hardy had his hands in a number of things that positively affected the Mavs during their dramatic 117-111 come-from-behind victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. For Hardy, the celebration started when he energized the Mavs by scoring 14 of his season-high — and game-high — 25 points in the second quarter.

The party continued with 5:09 remaining in the game when Hardy scored of a feed from Naji Marshall which got the Mavs within four points of the Blazers (103-99). In other words, Hardy appears to be back on solid footing after he missed seven games when he suffered a sprained right ankle during the…