With last night’s 130-104 win over Charlotte, the Dallas Mavericks officially clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Something really dramatic would have to happen for them not to finish 5th, as things stand the Clippers and Pelicans are 2 games ahead and behind them respectively. Dallas aims to win a 5th straight game tonight as they head to South Beach for a date with the Miami Heat. The first meeting was played about a month ago, Dallas came out on top 114-108 thanks to a 35-point triple-double by Doncic. This match-up has been a one-sided affair in the past few seasons with the Mavs going 5-2 ATS/SU in the last 7 meetings. However, in Miami they’ve gotten just 3 wins in 12 visits which just proves how difficult it is to win there.
Miami is also catching steam as we get closer to the postseason. That’s to be expected from a Jimmy Butler led team. We’ve seen the Heat coast for good stretches of the regular season in the past and then turn it on in the final month or so of the season and the playoffs. This time around, the Heat have an opportunity to pick between facing the Celtics or the Heat in the first round, depending on where they finish. I’m sure they’re fine with facing either of those two teams, but after Antetokounmpo’s injury last night you have to think they’re now aiming to finish 7th to face the 2nd seeded Bucks. After last night’s OT win at Atlanta, you have to wonder how much the Heat players have left in the tank though. A total of 4 starters played 40+ minutes in the 117-111 victory.
