Mavericks Fall in Overtime to Heat Without Luka Dončić, Ending Four-Game Win Streak

Irving led the charge with 27 points and 6 assists, taking over in the fourth quarter with 14 points to put the Mavericks on the brink of victory. Lively posted 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks, controlling the paint on both ends. Washington added 21 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his versatility with timely scoring and strong defense. Klay Thompson chipped in with 15 points and six rebounds.

“We’re seeing guys step up in big moments,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “Kyrie showed why he’s a leader, Dereck gave us a presence inside, and P.J. was a steady force. That’s what we need from this group.”

The content below was originally paywalled.

Bench contributors like Marshall (20 points, 5 rebounds) and Daniel Gafford (10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks) played key roles in keeping Dallas competitive. Gafford’s physicality in the paint, particularly during the second quarter, helped the Mavericks recover from early foul trouble and narrow the gap before halftime.

“We had a lot of guys step up tonight,” head coach Jason Kidd said. “Dereck was great inside, Naji gave us energy, and P.J. and Daniel made big plays on both ends. This was a total team effort, even if the result didn’t go our way.”

Fouls and Frustration Early

The Mavericks came out strong, building an 18-10 lead early with Lively’s relentless energy as a factor. He grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and added 4 points in the opening minutes, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Irving chipped in with a deep three-pointer, and Dallas looked like it might control the game.

But the Heat punched back, capitalizing on Dallas’ foul trouble. The Mavericks were whistled for 16 fouls in the first half, leading to 21 free throws for Miami. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro took full advantage, combining for 25 points in the half.

“We let them dictate the game early with fouls,” Irving said. “They got to the line way too much, and that slowed us down. It’s hard to get into a rhythm when you’re constantly recovering from free throws.”

Despite the whistles, Dallas clawed back. Washington and Gafford sparked an 11-1 run in the second quarter, with Washington muscling in tough buckets and Gafford cleaning up misses around the rim.

“It’s not tough—it’s a great experience and a positive,” Kidd said of the bench contributions. “You never know about foul trouble or injuries. This group has been positive since Luka’s been out, and tonight, they kept us in the game.”

By halftime, the Mavericks had trimmed Miami’s lead to 56-51, keeping themselves within striking distance despite the early challenges.

Mavericks Push Ahead After Halftime

Dallas came out of the locker room with renewed energy, opening the third quarter on a 13-4 run to briefly take the lead. Lively continued to anchor the defense, grabbing rebounds and altering shots, while Marshall provided a spark offensively. His corner three midway through the quarter forced a Miami timeout and seemed to shift momentum toward Dallas.

“Naji brought great energy tonight,” Kidd said. “He made big plays when we needed them and gave us a lift.”

Miami responded, as Alec Burks drilled back-to-back three-pointers to stop the Mavericks’ momentum. Burks’ timely shooting helped the Heat reclaim a slim lead, but Dallas stayed within striking distance, heading into the fourth quarter tied at 89.

Reflecting on the defensive effort, Kidd said, “We didn’t score enough in overtime. We settled for too many threes and didn’t attack the basket. We had great looks—they just didn’t fall.”

Heading into the fourth quarter tied at 89, Dallas appeared poised to take the game down to the wire, setting up a dramatic finish.

Irving’s Fourth Quarter Heroics

Irving took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points with a mix of pull-up jumpers, fearless drives, and free throws. His ability to break down Miami’s defense gave Dallas a chance to steal the win, especially when his free throws put the Mavericks ahead 114-112 with 8.2 seconds left.

“Kai was incredible,” Marshall said. “Watching him take over like that inspires all of us to step up in those moments.”

Miami, however, executed to perfection on the ensuing possession. Butler slipped behind Marshall on a backdoor cut for a game-tying dunk with 4.3 seconds remaining. The Heat argued for a foul on Lively’s contest, but no call was made.

“I was on the backside trying to focus, so I didn’t see what happened,” Marshall admitted. “I think it was just a little brain fart on my part. We’ll learn from these mistakes and be better next time.”

Dallas had one last chance to win in regulation, but Spencer Dinwiddie’s contested three-pointer rimmed out, sending the game to overtime.

“It’s frustrating when you’re so close,” Irving said. “We had chances to finish, but credit to Miami for making the right plays when it mattered.”

Overtime Brought Missed Opportunities

The extra period belonged to the Heat. Dallas struggled offensively, shooting just 2-of-10 from the field and missing all six of its three-point attempts in overtime. Irving, who had carried the Mavericks in the fourth, missed three shots, and Dinwiddie’s rough night continued as he finished 0-for-9 from beyond the arc.

“We have a talented team, and we have options,” Kidd said about closing with Dinwiddie. “Spencer was aggressive and did a great job on both offense and defense. We trust everyone that plays, and it’s always a matter of handling different situations. Again, we put ourselves in a position to win.”

Miami, on the other hand, executed when it mattered. Bam Adebayo drilled a key three-pointer, and Butler added a driving layup to put the Heat up 122-118 late in overtime. Burks hit a free throw to seal the game.

“We didn’t score enough in overtime,” Kidd said. “We settled for too many threes instead of attacking the basket. We had great looks—they just didn’t go down.”

Irving echoed Kidd’s sentiment, describing how overtime went as needing to push the pace better and felt the Heat defense “locked” the Mavericks down.

“We didn’t score enough in overtime. They outscored us 9-4,” Irving stated. “We stopped pushing the pace, and they locked us down defensively. They limited us to one shot per possession, and those five minutes went by fast.”

As Irving put it, it’s vital to be the team that hits first in overtime, or else you can get caught on your heels. Irving felt the Mavericks were the team to get stuck on their heels, being outscored 9-4.

“Overtime is about hitting first, and I think we were on our heels tonight,” Irving said. “Miami executed better and hit timely baskets. When they went up by four late in overtime, it was tough to recover. We gave great effort for most of the game, but those lulls and missed opportunities caught up to us. At this level, teams will capitalize on your mistakes, and that’s what happened tonight.”

The Mavericks’ defensive effort remained strong, but Alec Burks sealed the game for Miami with a free throw in the final seconds.

“They made plays when it counted,” Irving said. “We’ll watch the film and focus on the controllable things—better execution, fewer turnovers, and staying disciplined defensively.”

What Went Wrong for Dallas

Dallas’ three-point shooting struggles (10-of-40, 25%) were glaring. Dinwiddie’s 1-of-12 performance from the field was particularly costly, as it put more pressure on Irving, Marshall, and others to carry the offensive load.

Turnovers also hurt, with the Mavericks committing 14, leading to 17 Miami points. Still, the team dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and turning them into 24 second-chance points.

“We gave ourselves chances,” Kidd said. “But turnovers, missed shots, and defensive breakdowns in key moments hurt us.”

Marshall emphasized the need for the Mavericks to be better about boxing out, saying, “They killed us on the offensive boards tonight,” he said. “Boxing out and hitting the glass hard—just keep doing what we’re doing.”

Grimes and Kleber’s combined shooting struggles (1-of-12 from the field, 0-of-6 from three) stood out as a key factor. With both players unable to contribute offensively, the Mavericks lacked reliable secondary scoring behind Irving, Washington, and Marshall. Hardy went scoreless in nine minutes with three missed shots.

The little details that add up throughout the course of the game can be improved, as Irving explained in his evaluation of what went wrong for the Mavericks. He felt giving up too many offensive rebounds and turning it over became too much to overcome.

“Basketball is a game of centimeters, and sometimes shots just don’t fall. We had some good looks, but we didn’t execute the details that matter, like keeping them off the glass and winning the 50-50 battles,” Irving explained. “Those things gave Miami confidence down the stretch and allowed them to make extra effort plays that swung the game in their favor. We have to stay confident and focus on the controllable factors.”

“If we clean up those areas—like limiting their offensive rebounds and taking care of the ball—I think we come out with the win,” Irving continued. “But you also have to credit Miami for their defensive effort and how scrappy they played.”

Heat Stars Shine in Critical Moments

Butler led Miami with a season-high 33 points, adding 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and two steals. His ability to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line (12 attempts) was pivotal in keeping Miami’s offense steady. Butler’s game-tying dunk in the final seconds of regulation set the stage for Miami’s overtime dominance.

“We talked about it pregame—keeping them off the free throw line,” Kidd explained. “That’s something they can do well, but unfortunately, we weren’t supposed to foul.”

Adebayo anchored Miami’s frontcourt with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His defensive versatility and ability to contest shots in the paint were critical in slowing Dallas’ inside attack. Offensively, Adebayo’s clutch three-pointer in overtime gave the Heat the breathing room they needed to seal the win.

Herro contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, shooting 7-of-14 from the field. His balanced performance gave Miami a reliable second option behind Butler, and his ability to rebound and create offense was vital in a game where every possession mattered.

Burks chipped in 15 points off the bench on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Burks’ back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter halted Dallas’ momentum and shifted the game back in Miami’s favor. Pelle Larsson added 14 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting night, providing the Heat with timely offense and hustle plays.

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks will aim to regroup quickly as they travel to Atlanta on Monday night to face the Hawks, wrapping up their three-game road trip. With Dončić’s return still uncertain, Dallas will continue relying on Irving as the top option while relying on a balanced scoring attack from the supporting cast.

“These moments are tough, but they’re building us for what’s ahead,” Kidd said. “When we’re at full strength, these battles will pay off.”

Irving emphasized how much he’s looking forward to eventually regaining Dončić into the lineup whenever he recovers from his wrist injury.

“Luka is my hermano—my brother. I call him that because there’s genuine love there,” Irving said. “He’s a huge part of our team, and we definitely miss him. He’s a superstar, and clutch moments are where he thrives.”

However, Irving added that the Mavericks must continue to work to overcome not having their superstar teammate in the lineup. The opportunity to do so gives role players a larger role, which should help accelerate getting comfortable.

“At the same time, we have to have a next-man-up mentality,” Irving said. “This gives our role players an opportunity to step up, take more shots, and learn in real time. Those experiences will help us later in the season.

“I’d prefer for us to be 100% healthy, but since that’s not the case, we’re making the most of the situation,” Irving continued. “I’m staying present and appreciating the effort this team is giving. We know every night is a battle, and I’m proud of how we’ve competed.”

Support DallasHoopsJournal.com

As an independent Dallas Mavericks reporter, it helps when you sign up for a premium membership to read my most in-depth content. The cost is $10 per month or $100 annually.

Follow on Other Platforms

For more Mavs, NBA, and WNBA coverage, follow Grant Afseth on X, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube for content throughout the 2024-25 season.