Shorthanded Mavericks Boost Confidence Using Victory Over Heat: 'Starting to Play Pretty Good Basketball'
Mavericks triumph over Heat 118-113 despite injuries, with Danté Exum scoring 27 points. A resilient win ahead of the All-Star break.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks (30-26) clinched a dramatic 118-113 victory over the Miami Heat (25-28) at the American Airlines Center, showcasing their resilience amid having eight players sidelined. With 32 lead changes and 15 ties, neither team could secure a double-digit lead. It was about as close of a game as it gets in the NBA.
The Mavericks faced substantial injury challenges. Kyrie Irving (right shoulder soreness) and Klay Thompson (left foot sprain) were listed as questionable but downgraded to out before the game. Dallas continued to play without P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain), Anthony Davis (left adductor strain), Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Dwight Powell (right hip strain), and Caleb Martin (right hip strain). Despite significant injury challenges, Dallas has won four of its last five games entering the NBA All-Star break, helping to sustain an eighth-ranked spot in the Western Conference standings.
“The bumps and bruises go away faster,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “As I told the guys, get some rest, enjoy the break, be safe and when we come back, it’s time to push forward and find a way to get as high a seed as we can and win as many games as we can. Sometimes, you want the break. We do need the break, but we are starting to play pretty good basketball.”
The headliner was Danté Exum, who scored a season-high 27 points, just one point shy of his career high. Max Christie continued his streak of scoring 15 or more points by totaling 19. Spencer Dinwiddie scored 17, while Kessler Edwards chipped in an impressive 15 points and 9 rebounds. Dallas used the added spacing to enhance its offensive efficiency, shooting 51.1% overall and 36.1% from deep compared to the struggling splits by the Heat, who shot 47.2% from the floor and 27.8% from three.
“Analysts will say we needed eight of the nine to score in double figures to have a chance. So, it was essential for everyone playing to score,” Kidd said. “The group showed great energy and effort, and although mistakes were made, no one was pouting; everyone kept playing. [Jaden] Hardy didn't find the basket but kept playing, and the guys trusted him. It's a big win before the break, and now we can rest, regroup, and get ready for the second half. We need everyone to contribute as they did tonight.”
This slew of injuries left Dallas significantly undermanned, particularly in the frontcourt. Edwards, therefore, had to stay in an impromptu center role and combat 7-foot big man Kel’el Ware throughout the night. Despite this, both teams scored 62 points in the paint. However, Miami held a 25-12 edge in second-chance scoring.
“They got me listed as a center on the box score. I couldn’t believe it,” Edwards said. “It’s been a minute. A little bit in high school. But it’s been a long time.”
Miami dealt with significant injury concerns as well, including Bam Adebayo being sidelined due to a knee injury, along with Andrew Wiggins (illness), Terry Rozier (illness), and Kevin Love (personal reasons). Tyler Herro set the tone with 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists ahead of his first All-Star appearance. Ware added 17 points and 9 rebounds. Kyle Anderson impressed with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams started slow offensively, with Miami holding a slight edge at 22-21 by the quarter's end. The Mavericks struggled to find their rhythm, a challenge highlighted by the adjustments needed due to the absence of several key players. Momentum shifted in favor of the Mavericks when they went up 30-25, thanks to strategic plays and brief offensive bursts. However, Miami responded with a 6-0 run, regaining the lead. The score remained tight, with the Heat taking a narrow 56-55 lead into halftime, capped by Herro's finger roll.
Herro continued to impress, extending Miami's lead to 72-65 midway through the quarter. The Mavericks, however, did not falter. Edwards spearheaded a 13-0 Dallas run, flipping the score to 78-72 in favor of the Mavericks.
"I just took what the defense gave me, and my teammates found me in the right spots,” Edwards said. “It’s about making those big plays when we need them."
While Edwards is signed to a two-way contract, the Mavericks remain impressed by what he’s contributed lately. He’s risen to a rare challenge that many wouldn’t have ever thought he’d be tasked with facing earlier in the season.
“He is a pro, he played last year against us with Sacramento and, I think, also with Brooklyn,” Kidd said of Edwards. “His talent level is not a starting center, but he’s doing everything we asked of him to play center. That just shows what type of person and player he is. He’s all about the team, and he had a monster game tonight.”
The Mavericks managed a pivotal 12-0 run in the fourth quarter, turning a four-point deficit into an eight-point lead, crucially altering the game's momentum. Late in the game, Naji Marshall landed a pivotal corner three, pushing Dallas ahead 106-102. The Mavericks solidified a victory with timely defensive stops before critical free throws after Herro missed a late three-pointer attempt that could have tied the game.
This victory evens the Mavericks' season series against the Heat, ending the season 1-1. As they head into the All-Star break, this win provides a significant morale boost and positions them well for the second half of the season. Dallas will not return to action until Feb. 21, when it hosts the New Orleans Pelicans.
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