Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/15/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: FTX Arena, Miami, FL

Where to watch: BSSUN, BSSW-DAL

DraftKings: Heat -2.5

WynnBet: Heat -1 

Caesars: NL

Mavericks: 33-24

Heat: 37-20

Mavericks: won four of five

Heat: won five straight

It's a new era for the Dallas Mavericks, and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about this in general.

Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans are expected to make their Dallas debuts on Tuesday when the Mavericks visit Miami to take on the Heat. Dinwiddie and Bertans come over from the Washington Wizards after Dallas sent Kristaps Porzingis to the nation's capital.

The Mavericks come into this matchup winners of four of five after splitting a home back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers. Forget that, though. It's all about how Luka Doncic just turned into a walking flamethrower in that time.

One night after Doncic put up a career-high 51 points in a 112-105 win against the Clippers on Feb. 10, Doncic responded with 45 points (23 in the fourth quarter) but missed the game-winning 3 on Saturday for a 99-97 loss.

"Luka was great and then we had the ball to tie it or win it," Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. "That's all you can ask when we didn't play well tonight. But we found a way to put ourselves in position."

One can hope that the additions of Dinwiddie and Bertans will help in that regard. While both have struggled in Washington (Dinwiddie shooting 37.6 percent, while Bertans -- a career 40 percent 3-point shooter -- is down to 31.9 percent this season) a change of scenery could do wonders drastically for these two, especially with Doncic getting them the ball. It's likely Dinwiddie isn't meant to be the head of the offense, while Bertans could be great as a pick-and-pop guy.

They are going to need to provide help. The Mavericks had just four total bench points in the loss to the Clippers on Saturday. Against the Heat, you can't afford to have that happen.

It might need to be a game where Jalen Brunson shows he's worth a ton of money in the offseason. Brunson has averaged 17.4 poing and five assists in his last 10 games.

It just wouldn't seem right if the Heat weren't the best team in the Eastern Conference.

As it stands, Miami is atop the conference ahead of the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks, reminding us all that it is apparently the previous decade. The Heat come into this Finals rematch from 2011 and 2006 winners of five straight and 7-3 in their last 10.

The Heat have dealt with a myriad of injuries but appear to be getting healthy at the right time. Bam Adebayo has since returned from thumb surgery, averaging 18.6 points and 10 rebounds in 14 games post-recovery. The Miami big man has been at least a plus-10 in five straight games.

Miami is coming off a 115-111 win over the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in which seven players scored in double figures.

"We had a good start to the third quarter but then let off a little bit," Heat forward Duncan Robinson said. "We have to be better than that. But still, to win games down the stretch, having those closing possessions and stops were big."

But with Adebayo out, it doesn't appear Jimmy Butler will be available. Miami's leading scorer is questionable due to a shoulder injury and it wouldn't be shocking if he's held out for a precaution. Tyler Herro, who might be the clubhouse leader for Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player, is also out due to a knee contusion.

That leads the bulk of the offense to Adebayo and Kyle Lowry. The veteran point guard, who the Mavericks nearly signed in the offseason, torched Dallas for 22 points and nine assists in the last meeting on Nov. 2, a 15-point win for the Heat in Dallas.

Lowry has averaged 13 points and 8.1 assists this season, but expect more touches if Butler is out.

Miami is better known as a defensive team, but the offense has carried the Heat over the last number of games. During their 7-3 run, the Heat are at a clip of averaging 111.3 points while holding teams to 105.5

The Heat are a matchup nightmare for the Mavericks, but I'm curious how the new guys will look matching up against Lowry and possibly Max Strus. Both are going to need to make their shots, as cliche as it sounds, for Dallas to have a chance. Maxi Kleber, one of Dallas' best all-around defenders, will have his hands full on Adebayo. Reggie Bullock has stepped it up as of late, but he'll be moving around a ton to slow down Robinson. I'd be cautious in taking the Mavs given the spread isn't that large. It might take another Herculean effort from Doncic to get a victory, and that'll be tough against Miami. Heat by 8

The Mavericks are 39-43 ATS as an underdog over the past three seasons.

The under is 24-10 for the Mavericks coming off an under.

The Heat are 77-64 ATS as a favorite over the past three seasons.

The Heat are 21-8 ATS after two days rest.

PG: Luka Doncic

SG: Jalen Brunson

SF: Reggie Bullock

PF: Dorian Finney-Smith

C: Maxi Kleber

PG: Kyle Lowry

SG: Duncan Robinson

SF: Max Strus

PF: P.J. Tucker

C: Bam Adebayo

Mavericks: Marquese Chriss (knee, out), Tim Hardaway Jr. (foot, out)

Heat: Jimmy Butler (shoulder, questionable), Tyler Herro (knee, out), Caleb Martin (Achilles, out), Markieff Morris (neck, out)

Points: Luka Doncic -- 27.2

Rebounds: Luka Doncic -- 9.0

Assists: Luka Doncic -- 9.1

Points: Jimmy Butler -- 21.7

Rebounds: Bam Adebayo -- 10.1

Assists: Kyle Lowry -- 8.1