The Miami Heat (17-15) beat the Dallas Mavericks (9-24) with 113:101 thanks to an outstanding shooting performance. Wayne Ellington in particular is running hot, which is why Dirk Nowitzki’s best performance of the season is without merit.
Dallas started the game drowsy and quickly made a 13-point deficit. Miami got every litter they wanted and ran their sets exemplary, also because the Mavs put up with it. It was only with the second unit that the offense could be established, mainly thanks to Yogi Ferrell.
The heat still continued to hit, but Dallas forced Turnover and equalized the game at the break. After the switch, however, history was repeated and Miami attacked more and was rewarded with a 12-0 run. The short rotation made the heat difficult, the throws got shorter and Dallas shot himself from the outside (17/35 threesomes over 48 minutes).
In the middle of the fourth quarter, however, Dallas forgot that Wayne Ellington (28,8/12 threesome) was a potent marksman and left him open twice in one piece, which punished him and rebuilt the lead. Thereafter, the equally strong Tyler Johnson (19.8/12 FG) took over for the Heat, who made wise decisions to prevent Dallas from getting nearer.
The Mavs wasted Dirk Nowitzki’s best scoring performance this season. The 39-year-old scored 20 points (7/17 FG) with six countersunk triplets. But Ferrell (23.5/7 Dreier) was the Mavs’ busiest scorer, while Harrison Barnes contributed another 20 points (8/15 FG).
The NBA live at SPOX! All games in the LIVESTREAM calendar!
Miami was convincingly closed, although Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Rodney McGruder and Hassan Whiteside were five major rotation players. In addition to Ellington and Johnson, Josh Richardson also convinced with 24 points (11/14 FG) and a strong individual defence. Rookie Bam Adebayo also made his best game and contributed another 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
Heat vs. Mavs: This way to the BOXSCORE!
Wayne Ellington. Due to the injury of Dion Waiters, the shooting guard stayed on the field for much longer and it was worth it. Already in the first heat the shooter was hot and Dallas lost sight of the gunner again and again. But the decisive factor was his back-to-back trio when Dallas had the momentum. Suddenly Miami was leading again with eight points. Eight threesomes were also the attitude of his career high.
Maxi glue. Not the rookie game. Played only eight minutes and there were reasons for that. It was part of the lineup which could be shown at the beginning of both halves. Also Kleber made a very unhappy figure against Kelly Olynyk. Took only one litter, a threesome from the corner, just touching the ring. After that Carlisle didn’t bring him back into the game.
The Heat’s defense was extremely variable. If they had problems with Pick’ n’ Pop before the break, the ball handlers were put under better pressure after the break and the passes were delivered. In the meantime, Spoelstra also let a zone play, which did not do the rhythm of the Mavs any good. Another trick that got Dallas out of the comfort zone was the full-field press, which is becoming increasingly rare in the NBA.