3 thoughts from Mavericks–Heat: Dallas’ clutch woes continue in another late-game loss

The Dallas Mavericks can’t seem to close games.

Cooper Flagg helped tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but Dallas couldn’t finish after a series of mistakes in the clutch. Despite playing in a league-high 15 clutch games, the Mavericks are just 4–11 in those situations.

Dallas let another opportunity slip away Monday, undone by late-game turnovers in a 106–102 loss to the Miami Heat.

Here are three thoughts:

Mavericks’ offense sputters again

Entering the night, Miami held the No. 4 defensive rating in the NBA (111.2). Still, the Mavericks made the Heat look like the 2004 Detroit Pistons.

Dallas shot 39.2% from the field and 30% from 3, weighed down by going 13-of-51 on jump shots and committing 16 turnovers.

Only two Mavericks with at least five shot attempts shot better than 50%. Cooper Flagg struggled to find a rhythm, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Teams often boost their efficiency by generating transition points, but Dallas produced only 18 fastbreak.

D’Angelo Russell benched for Ryan Nembhard

After missing the last four games, Ryan Nembhard stepped into a key role as D’Angelo Russell struggled.

Russell finished with no points in nine minutes, adding two assists and two turnovers. Nembhard, meanwhile, scored just two points, but contributed seven assists in 16 minutes and stabilized the offense.

If Nembhard begins hitting 3-pointers consistently, he could become a valuable rotation piece for Dallas, especially in tight fourth-quarter stretches where decision-making has been lacking.

Mavericks’ defense holds Miami below its averages

Miami entered the game ranked No. 1 in scoring (124.9) and assists (30.6) per game, fifth in 3-point percentage (38.1%) and second in points in the paint (58.0). The Mavericks held the Heat to just 106 points, 21 assists and 18.5% shooting from deep, but surrendered 64 points in the paint.

The last team to shoot over 50% against the Mavericks was San Antonio in the season opener. Dallas continues to force opponents into high 3-point volume—but opponents aren’t making them pay.

If those shots start falling, the Mavericks’ league-high 15 clutch games could turn into blowouts instead of nail-biters.