Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat: Postgame Grades and Analysis
The Dallas Mavericks used a 23-0 run during the second half to topple the Miami Heat 93-72 Friday night at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
Charlie Villanueva scored a season-high 20 points and propelled the Mavericks (31-17), but it was far from a dominant all-around performance opposite the short-handed Heat (20-26).
Though Chandler Parsons (ill) was sidelined for Dallas, Miami was without Dwyane Wade (hamstring) and Luol Deng (calf).
Hassan Whiteside was an offensive force in the early going, helping the Heat build a quick lead while Dallas closed the first half 11 of 37 from the field. However, Miami nailed just 18-of-51 shots and only led by seven points at the break.
The teams traded baskets for nine minutes of the third quarter before the Mavericks ripped off the game-deciding 23-0 streak over the next eight. The Heat clanged 10 consecutive shots and committed four turnovers during that stretch.
Rick Carlisle earned his 600th career victory as a head coach, becoming the 24th in NBA history to accomplish the feat.
| Monta Ellis | C- |
| Rajon Rondo | D |
| Dirk Nowitzki | C+ |
| Charlie Villanueva | A |
| Rest of Team | B+ |
| Chris Bosh | C |
| Hassan Whiteside | A- |
| Mario Chalmers | D+ |
| James Ennis | B |
| Rest of Team | D- |
Dallas Mavericks
Monta Ellis: C-
Though he's typically aggressive with the rock, Monta Ellis was passive. He created a couple of high-percentage looks for his post players if he dribbled into the lane, but that didn't happen as consistently as it should've.
Ellis was ineffective as a jump-shooter—dropping in three of his eight attempts from 12 feet or farther—finishing with 12 points and seven assists.
Rajon Rondo: D
Another game, another problem surrounding Rajon Rondo's role in the offense. Carlisle has continually denied there's an issue with the point guard, but whatever's not going wrong certainly isn't getting much better.
While the Mavericks were at their best when they pushed the ball down the floor, Rondo hesitated before pulling back and setting up half-court offense. However, since Ellis wasn't his normal self and Parsons—the only other creator off the dribble—was unavailable, Dallas' attack usually stagnated.
Dirk Nowitzki: C+
The 7-footer opened the game ice cold, misfiring on six of his first seven attempts. Dirk Nowitzki settled down and buried a couple of jumpers but still provided just a minor offensive impact.
Like every great player, however, Nowitzki atoned for some of his struggles in another manner. He grabbed six boards and dished four assists, tallying 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
Charlie Villanueva: A
Of all players to keep the Mavericks competitive during a porous offensive start, Villanueva was probably the last one in mind. Nevertheless, the veteran forward was constantly involved as a pick-and-pop specialist and, more importantly for Dallas, converted.
Villanueva drained six trifectas, grabbed an offensive rebound that led to a Devin Harris triple and contributed eight of the pivotal run's 23 points.
Rest of Team: B+
Tyson Chandler contained Whiteside whenever he switched onto him, yet the Dallas center rarely defended the Miami center due to Carlisle's decision. Chandler tallied 11 points and 13 rebounds in the win.
J.J. Barea was clearly pressing too much on a couple ugly offensive possessions, though his and Al-Farouq Aminu's energy was needed in an otherwise sluggish first half. Richard Jefferson netted seven points in place of Parsons.
Miami Heat
Chris Bosh: C
Chandler deterred Chris Bosh from gaining favorable position in the lane, and the power forward missed all four shots within eight feet.
Miami's star was visibly more comfortable when Nowitzki switched onto him, but Bosh was still a mediocre five-of-18 from the floor and managed eight rebounds.
Hassan Whiteside: A-
To say Whiteside dominated the glass would be an understatement. He flat-out took the rights to all the land in the paint. The center continued his breakout campaign, setting a franchise record with 14 boards in the first quarter and tying another with 16 in the first half.
He also affected Dallas' collective desire to attack the rim, but Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post notes Whiteside's conditioning was a major factor in the loss. The Mavericks scored 21 of their 23 critical points while he was watching from the sideline.
Whiteside racked up 16 points and a career-high 24 rebounds.
Mario Chalmers: D+
Whenever Miami is without Wade, the team looks to Mario Chalmers for a boost. Erik Spoelstra didn't get a productive game from the seventh-year point guard, however.
Chalmers was 2-of-7 from beyond the arc and 3-of-11 overall, ending a forgettable night with 10 points, six assists and a negative-16 rating.
James Ennis: B
With Wade out, Deng sidelined and Chalmers struggling, the Heat desperately needed a perimeter player to step up. James Ennis displayed outstanding athleticism on a tip shot, threw down a couple of powerful dunks and chipped in a trio of three-pointers.
Ennis accumulated 15 points—his second-highest mark of his career—burying six-of-12 shots from the floor and three-of-five from deep.
Rest of Team: D-
Danny Granger stepped in for Deng and occupied the exact role Miami needed him to fill, slipping into vacated areas for open looks. The problem, however, was Granger missed all six shots.
Norris Cole, Shawne Williams and Tyler Johnson combined to make a mere four buckets in 22 attempts, including a one-of-six mark from three-point range. The Mavs outscored the Heat bench 47-26.
What's Next?
Dallas (31-17) faces the Orlando Magic (15-34) Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Amway Center. Fox Sports Southwest will televise the 8 p.m. ET tipoff. The Mavericks now hold a half-game edge on the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 6 seed in the West.
Miami (20-26) heads north to battle the Boston Celtics (16-29) Sunday, Jan. 30. Sun Sports will broadcast the Eastern Conference tilt at 1 p.m. ET, and the matchup opens a four-game road trip for the Heat.
Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR
