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The red-hot Miami Heat are set to take on the Dallas Mavericks in what should be an interesting match-up between two clubs that have quite a history with each other. This is why we'll be keeping a close eye on this Heat-Mavericks outing with some predictions in tow.
Miami is boasting the league's no. 1 defense so far through the early goings of the 2021-22 season. The Heat's top-notch defense has been the reason for their fast 5-1 start this year and they hold solo second in the Eastern Conference behind the Chicago Bulls. Heat fans will certainly want to tune in on how their defense will fare against Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.
After bludgeoning the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks by 42 points in their season opener, Miami lost in overtime to the Indiana Pacers. Since then, however, the Heat have rattled off four straight victories, all by way of blowouts. This includes a 106-93 victory over Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets.
Should Miami improve to a 6-1 record, they tie the Bulls for first in the conference and get their best start since the 2011-12 season. Will they get the job done when they pay a visit to Luka and the Mavs?
Miami Heat 4 bold predictions vs. Dallas Mavericks
1. Duncan Robinson will score his season-high
Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson's shooting has been one of the few low spots for Miami this year. The career 42 percent shooter from beyond the arc is having a tough time finding the bottom of the net, making just 32.1 percent of his 3-pointers through six games this season.
Robinson, however, did put up his best offensive night in their most recent win versus the Grizzlies. The 27-year old sniper went 5-of-10 from the field — all threes — and scored a season-high 15 points. Sometimes, all shooters need is a good game to regain their confidence before they go on a hot streak. With Robinson seeming to find his groove, the undrafted forward could easily surpass 15 markers on Tuesday.
2. Tyler Herro will lead the way in scoring
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Miami's third-year guard Tyler Herro is off to a flying start this season, averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 31 minutes per game off the Heat bench. The brash 21-year old is playing with a ton of confidence and the Heat have done the right thing by letting him go to work and cook the other second units in the NBA.
Herro started off the campaign by top-scoring for the Heat, dropping 27 points in 24 minutes in their statement win over Milwaukee. He certainly wasn't to blame for their lone loss this season as he led the way for them with 30 points, his season-high so far. After two subpar outings versus Orlando and Brooklyn, Herro seems to be finding his rhythm once again, going 8-of-14 combined from downtown in his two most recent games. Miami can rely on anyone to provide the scoring punch on a nightly basis, and against Dallas, it's going to be Tyler Herro.
3. Miami will hold Dallas below 100 points
This Heat defense has been absolutely stifling to start the season. They have held their opponents to an average of just 97 points this season. Miami has only allowed over 100 points twice, the first in their loss to Indiana and the second in their 26-point rout of Memphis.
Dallas, meanwhile, despite being 4-2, has yet to find the same success they had offensively in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, where they finished 1st and 8th, respectively, in offensive rating. With Miami's suffocating defense already in midseason form and Dallas still finding their way offensively, the Heat should be able to keep this Mavericks offense in check.
4. The Miami Heat will win by double-digits
All of Miami's wins so far this season have come by way of blowouts. Four of them came against quality teams. Aside from their noteworthy victories over the defending champion Bucks and the powerhouse Nets, they also easily handled the surging Charlotte Hornets and the upstart Memphis Grizzlies.
Miami has won their games by an average of 22.6 points this season. They haven't just done their work on the defensive end, where they rank no. 1 in defensive rating, per NBA.com. The Heat are bringing it offensively as well, ranking third in points per game and fourth in offensive rating through the early goings of the season. Overall, Miami holds the no. 1 net rating in the NBA so far.
With the way Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and co. are playing, there is no reason to believe they won't do the same versus a Mavericks squad that has not quite found its groove just yet. With that, the Heat should continue with their double-digit win trend on Tuesday against Dallas.
