Dallas Mavericks clinch postseason berth with win in Miami

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 127-113 on April 4. Things looked bleak after the Heat rarely missed in the first quarter on their way to 39 points, but the Mavs quickly punched back to grab the win and move up to fifth in the Western Conference.

Luka Doncic had an incredible game, but it was Tim Hardaway Jr. that stole the show. Doncic finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in 30 minutes of action. He was eight of 15 from the field, including making five 3-pointers. Luka did not play in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks dominated the Heat.

Hardaway Jr. stayed hot to lift Dallas to their 37th win of the season. It started with his 42-point performance against the Pistons, but he was just as impressive on Tuesday night in Miami. Here is a closer look at the Mavs performance and what it means going forward.

Dallas Mavericks clinch a postseason berth with win over Miami Heat

Luka Doncic had it going from the opening tip in Miami. He had 19 points on ten field goal attempts in the first half, including hitting this impossible jumper over Bam Adebayo.

Hardaway Jr. makes his offseason home in Miami. He caught fire in the second half. See him nail a beautiful 3-pointer in the third quarter.

THJ had 18 points in the third quarter and came back in the fourth to finish off the Heat. See his tenth 3-pointer made of the game below.

Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 36 points, four rebounds, and one block in 31 minutes of action against the Heat. He was 13 of 24 from the field, including hitting ten 3-pointers to tie the Mavericks franchise record in a game. THJ was unbelievable on April 4 as he sparked his team.

Tuesday’s win made it a season series sweep for the Mavs over the Miami Heat. They are currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for fifth in the Western Conference, but Dallas holds the tiebreaker by winning the season series. The Mavericks are one game up on Portland for seventh. Expect them to stay hot down the stretch as they attempt to avoid the play-in tournament.

Remember, teams seven through ten will battle it out for the final two playoff spots. Seven faces eight with the winner advancing as the seventh seed. The loser faces the winner of the nine versus ten game for the final spot. Dallas wants no part of that tournament.

The win also guaranteed the Mavs postseason basketball. They cannot fall further than tenth in the West, even if they lose their last seven games. Dallas wants to stay in the top six, but it feels good to know they will be playing in the postseason after their rocky start.

The Dallas Mavericks are back in action on Thursday night as they host the Brooklyn Nets. It is the first of a back-to-back and an important game for the Mavericks. Luka Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr. will be looking to stay hot to lift Dallas to another key victory. Do not miss it.