The Miami Heat’s recent struggles continued as they suffered a 118-113 defeat to the short-handed Dallas Mavericks, marking their fourth consecutive loss heading into the All-Star break. Despite a stellar 40-point performance from Tyler Herro, the Heat faltered in the final minutes, allowing a decisive 12-0 run by the Mavericks that sealed their fate.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged the team’s recurring fourth-quarter issues and expressed determination to rectify them. “It happened fast,” Spoelstra said regarding Dallas’ late-game surge. “By the time I called that timeout, it was a minute and a half 8-0 run. We’re going to correct that. We’re going to get better. We have enough experience with it now.”
The Heat’s recent pattern of late-game collapses has been a cause for concern. Just days earlier, they were outscored 31-9 in the fourth quarter by the Brooklyn Nets, leading to a 102-86 loss.
As the team enters the All-Star break, both players and coaching staff are focused on addressing these late-game challenges. Spoelstra emphasized the importance of the upcoming break for mental and physical rejuvenation, aiming to return with renewed energy and focus for the remainder of the season
