Dante Exum delivered a season-high 27 points as the Dallas Mavericks edged the Miami Heat 118-113 on Thursday night. Tyler Herro scored 40 points, but Miami dropped its fourth consecutive game.
Dallas, playing without several key players, secured its fourth win in five games to improve to 30-26, holding eighth place in the Western Conference. The Heat, now 25-28, remain ninth in the East.
Max Christie added 19 points, Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 17, and Kessler Edwards recorded season highs of 15 points and nine rebounds. Edwards, a two-way contract player, logged a career-high 40 minutes as the Mavericks overcame a significant size disadvantage.
The Mavericks were without Kyrie Irving (shoulder strain), Anthony Davis (groin sprain), and Klay Thompson (foot sprain), while big men Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington Jr. also remained sidelined. Dallas’ tallest active players were the 6-foot-8 Edwards and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
Herro, who started 1-of-7 from the floor, erupted for 38 points in the final three quarters. Kel’el Ware chipped in 17 points, and Kyle Anderson had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite being undersized, Dallas managed to match Miami’s 25-25 scoring in the paint. The Heat, missing starters Bam Adebayo (knee contusion) and Andrew Wiggins (illness), shot just 27.8% from beyond the arc.
The game remained tight in the closing moments. With 28 seconds left, Miami trailed 116-113 and had a chance to tie, but Herro’s three-point attempt from the right corner came up short. Christie grabbed the rebound, sealing the win.
Dallas shot 51.1% from the field and 81.3% from the free-throw line, overcoming Miami’s advantage on the glass. The Mavericks now prepare for their next matchup as they continue to navigate injuries.
