Short-handed Mavericks hold on to beat Heat

Field Level Media|published: Thu 13th February, 23:32 2025

Feb 13, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (0) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Dante Exum scored a season-high 27 points to lead seven Dallas players in double figures as the Mavericks beat the visiting Miami Heat 118-113 on Thursday in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams.

In a game that featured 32 lead changes and 15 ties, Dallas used a 12-0 run to move ahead 110-102 with 2:39 remaining.

Miami battled back and pulled within 116-113 after Alec Burks made one of two free throws with 52.6 seconds left. Tyler Herro missed a game-tying 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining before Spencer Dinwiddie made two foul shots to secure the victory.

Max Christie scored 19 points, Dinwiddie added 18 and Kessler Edwards had a season-high 15 for the Mavericks, who won for the fourth time in their last five games. Naji Marshall scored 12 points, Brandon Williams had 11 and Olivier-Maxence Prosper netted 10.

The short-handed Mavericks were without eight injured players, including Kyrie Irving (right shoulder soreness) and Klay Thompson (left foot sprain).

Herro matched his season high with 40 points for Miami, which lost its fourth straight. Kel'el Ware scored 17 points, Kyle Anderson added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Burks had 12 points off the bench.

Playing without Bam Adebayo (left knee contusion), Andrew Wiggins (illness) and Terry Rozier (illness), Miami fell three games under .500 for the first time this season at 25-28.

The Heat held a 22-21 lead at the end of one period after the teams shot a combined 3-of-19 (15.8 percent) from 3-point range.

Herro scored 17 of his 19 first-half points in the second quarter, including a layup with 3.8 seconds remaining to give the Heat a 56-55 lead at the break.

Herro carried the momentum into the second half and hit a pair of 3-pointers during a 10-0 run that put Miami ahead 72-65 with 5:55 left in the third quarter.

Dallas answered with a 13-0 run and carried an 84-83 lead into the fourth period.

Exum returned after missing one game with left Achilles tightness and was 11-of-13 shooting for the Mavericks, who shot 51.1 percent from the field and 36.1 percent (13-of-36) from 3-point range.

--Field Level Media