3 takeaways from the Mavericks’ exhilarating 113-109 win at the Miami Heat

The Dallas Mavericks (2-2) picked up their second win of the season Monday night, closing strong to beat the Miami Heat (0-4) 113-109 in a game that turned into a late showcase for Cooper Flagg. Flagg was the best player on the floor for Dallas, finishing with 29 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, four steals, and two blocks on 12-of-23 shooting while completely taking over in crunch time. P.J. Washington added 20 points and nine rebounds, Kyrie Irving finished with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Walter Clayton Jr. gave Dallas a huge lift off the bench with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Miami with a monster triple-double, finishing with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists, while Davion Mitchell added 21 points. Dallas trailed 84-83 entering the fourth, but Flagg and Clayton powered the Mavericks through the final period as the defense tightened and Dallas made just enough late plays to secure the 113-109 win.

Dallas opened the game playing some of its best basketball when Cooper Flagg was involved. P.J. Washington got the Mavericks on the board at the line, and Flagg quickly took control as a playmaker, finding Kyrie Irving for a layup, Max Christie for a three, Daniel Gafford for a floater, and Morez Johnson Jr. for a jumper. He finished the first quarter with five assists, and Dallas looked fluid whenever the offense ran through him. Washington knocked down a three, Flagg turned a steal into a Kyrie three, and Gafford created extra possessions on the glass. The problem started when the bench came in. Ball movement disappeared, Zaccharie Risacher struggled badly, Marcus Sasser couldn’t get anything going, and Morez picked up two quick fouls. Risacher went 0-of-5 in the quarter, including a block by Bam Adebayo, while Dallas shot just 29.6 percent despite getting decent looks. Miami stayed ahead behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andrew Wiggins, and a late Tim Hardaway Jr. three, taking a 27-23 lead after one.

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The second quarter started with a Christie three, but Bobby Portis Jr. immediately caught fire for Miami, hitting three threes in the opening minutes and…

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Publish date : 2026-10-27 02:29:00

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