The Mavericks knew the importance of Thursday’s showdown against Miami.
They could not afford to go 0-3 on this home stand against Eastern Conference competition.
So they used a formula seldom seen from them: grit and grind. Along with a healthy dose of Luka Donu010diu0107 and Dante Exum.
Another 30-plus-point triple-double by Luka and two clutch baskets by Exum in the final minutes clinched a 114-108 victory over the Heat at American Airlines Center.
By salvaging the finale of this homestand, the Mavericks improved to 35-28 while the Heat slipped to 35-27.