Tyler Herro is expected to make his season debut on Monday night when the Miami Heat host the Dallas Mavericks at the Kaseya Center.
The Heat (11–6, 4th East) return to South Beach on the second leg of a back-to-back, last beating the 76ers in Philadelphia to push their winning streak to four games. The Mavs (5–13, 13th West), meanwhile, have lost three of their last five and trudge into Miami attempting to rebound from a Saturday loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Dallas Mavericks
- Out: Dante Exum (illness), Kyrie Irving (knee), Dereck Lively II (foot)
- Questionable: Ryan Nembhard (knee), Brandon Williams (back)
- Doubtful: Anthony Davis (calf)
Miami Heat
- Out: Nikola Jovic (hip), Norman Powell (groin), Andrew Wiggins (hip), Terry Rozier (not with team)
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Heat enter as 7.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Mavs are listed as +235 underdogs. The game’s total is set at 241.5 points.
Mavericks vs. Heat Preview
Dallas Mavericks Preview
The nightmare season continues for the Mavericks, who lost on Saturday to a Memphis Grizzlies squad without Ja Morant. Dallas’ strong defense is consistently undone by an NBA-worst offense, culminating in a disheartening 23rd-ranked net rating.
The Mavs score the third-fewest points per game while shooting a dreadful 44.4% from the floor and 32% from deep — both bottom-five marks in the NBA. Exacerbating their offensive woes, Dallas surrenders the fourth-most turnovers per game. Cooper Flagg and PJ Washington have been bright spots, but they haven’t been able to save a franchise that seems destined for a roster overhaul.
The outlook is actually much brighter on the other end, with the Mavericks ranking in the top three in defensive rating. Dallas holds opponents to the sixth-lowest field goal percentage and the fourth-lowest mark from three-point range. Still, with so many of their bigs sidelined, the Mavericks have gotten crushed inside and allow the fifth-most points in the paint per game.
Miami Heat Preview
Unlike its opponent, Miami has had no issues putting the ball in the basket. The Heat lead the league in scoring and assists, while also ranking in the top five in three-point percentage. While the absence of leading scorer Norman Powell will undoubtedly slow down their offense, the reintegration of Herro should help keep Miami afloat in the meantime.
Miami is also one of the NBA’s better defensive squads, sitting in the top four in defensive rating. The Heat hold opponents to the second-lowest field-goal percentage, as well as the league’s lowest three-point percentage. Miami ranks just outside the top-ten in steals per game and generates the fourth-most points off turnovers.
Mavericks vs. Heat Pick, Best Bet
Monday night’s matchup will feature a clash between two of the league’s top defenses. While the Heat remain a scoring powerhouse capable of lighting up the scoreboard against any opponent, the Mavericks’ junior-varsity offense will likely have an especially hard time putting up points against Miami.
Combined, the Mavericks and Heat average just 234.8 points per game — well below the matchup’s 241.5-point total. Both defenses are poised to assert themselves, but only one offense seems likely to show up. Expect Monday night’s game to fall under the total.
