Mavericks, Heat Collide In Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks will host the Miami Heat at American Airlines Center on Thursday.

The Mavericks (34-28) are trending in the wrong direction of late. Even though their potential playoff positioning has not suffered yet, since they still sit six games above the .500 mark, it’s worth noting Dallas has lost three games in a row. However, those three losses have come against potential playoff teams in the Eastern Conference: the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers. Dallas is also on a two-game losing streak at home, where the team owns an 18-15 record. The Mavs will only go as far as Luka Doncic can carry them, but the star guard has been playing alone in recent weeks. For what is worth, Doncic is averaging 34.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game, leading the team in all three categories.

The Mavericks are listing Maxi Kleber (knee) and Luka Doncic (ankle) as game-time decisions. Both are listed as probable and should be able to play.

The Heat (35-26) are coming off a 118-110 win over the Detroit Pistons the last time out, and Miami will hit the road again following a short two-game homestand in which they went undefeated. Aside from topping the Pistons, Miami defeated the Utah Jazz by a score of 126-120 on March 2. Miami has gone 18-13 when playing on the road this season, and that mark is easily one of the best in the Eastern Conference. Miami also enters this game on a high note after winning four of its last five contests. The star duo of Jimmy Butler (21.9 points, 4.8 assists) and Bam Adebayo (20.4 points, 10.3 rebounds per contest) has been instrumental for the team’s success.

The Heat are listing Kevin Love (heel), Tyler Herro (knee) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) as out. Richardson will be out for the rest of the season.
Posted on: 3/6/2024 11:12 PM