The Dallas Mavericks take aim at their first three-game winning streak of the season on Wednesday night when they host the Miami Heat.
Dallas lost 15 of its first 20 games before notching back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets to complete a 2-2 road trip.
The Mavericks defeated the Clippers 114-110 on Saturday behind rookie Cooper Flagg’s season-high 35 points. Dallas followed up two nights later with a 131-121 win over the Nuggets with Anthony Davis recording a season-best 32 points and matching his season high of 13 rebounds.
Flagg said the Mavericks weren’t going to get overly giddy about two straight victories.
“We haven’t gotten too low off some of these losses, and we’re not getting too high off a couple of wins,” Flagg said. “Just stay consistent and just continue to build off what we had these last two games.
“If we can stay consistent with our approach and the way we’ve been coming out each and every day, I think we’ll be OK.”
Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 draft, was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November. He is averaging 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Flagg, who turns 19 on Dec. 21, has impressed Davis in their short time as teammates.
“He’s going to continue to be aggressive,” Davis said. “Him getting downhill, getting to his midrange and getting to the basket, he’s unstoppable.
“We told him to play to his strengths and when a three presents itself, shoot it. He still has a long ways to go, and that’s scary.”
The Mavericks also received a stellar effort from undrafted rookie free agent Ryan Nembhard against the Nuggets. The point guard had 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, and recorded 10 assists without a single turnover.
“A blessing to be with this group of guys — a great group that we have here,” Nembhard said. “I just put in my work every day and stay consistent with that, and when you do that, good things will happen.”
Miami has won seven of its past eight games, and one of the victories came against the Mavericks on Nov. 24.
Tyler Herro made his season debut and scored 24 points on 12-of-18 shooting to fuel that 106-102 home win over Dallas.
Herro has played in four games and scored more than 20 points in each one.
The Heat had a lot of standout performers in Monday’s 140-123 home win over the Clippers. Miami tied a franchise record with 24 made 3-pointers.
Norman Powell had six 3-pointers while scoring 30 points, Bam Adebayo made five to go with 27 points and 14 rebounds, Herro hit four while scoring 22 points, Andrew Wiggins made two while recording 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks and Davion Mitchell was 4-for-4 from behind the arc while contributing 16 points and 12 assists.
“When everybody’s scoring, it opens the floor for everybody,” Wiggins said. “Everyone’s in a good rhythm, the ball is moving, and everyone has space to do their thing.”
Mitchell is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists while scoring 10 points per game and speeding up the Miami attack.
“When Davion gets the ball up and he gets up the court, it literally might be three dribbles,” Adebayo said. “That puts defenses on their heels, because he can get downhill. He’ll shoot a quick layup and people got to respect that. Then, when defenses collapse, it just makes it easier. Stop on two feet and hit the open person.”
Powell (ankle) is listed as questionable for the matchup. Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington of the Mavericks are both questionable with ankle injuries.
