Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks 11/2/21: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks Matchup Preview (11/2/21)

The red hot Miami Heat (5-1) will travel east to face the Dallas Mavericks (4-2) at the American Airlines Center. Miami has started this season by holding teams to an average of 97 points per game, while Dallas holds teams to 103; therefore, be prepared for a lower-scoring game. While these teams have similar records, they are miles apart in their talent and quality of play. Miami ranks first in defensive efficiency, first in total rebounds per game, and second in opponent points per game. The Heat are absolute tyrants on defense. Meanwhile, Dallas can’t figure anything out offensively, primarily because it just doesn’t have enough chemistry and talent on that end. This is even more apparent when considering that it will be without Kristaps Porzingis. At first, this game could be competitive simply because of pace, but the Heat should break loose in the third quarter.

Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks Betting Odds

I don’t see this being a close game, honestly. The Mavericks have struggled all season on offense and don’t have enough players on their roster who can score besides Luka Doncic. Butler will likely take the task of guarding Doncic and keeping him at bay. The rest of the Mavericks’ players will struggle mightily scoring on this elite Heat defense. Defensively, Dallas will struggle against Miami, who has completely turned around its offensive efficiency and field goal percentage from the first few games. Miami should not have much trouble here despite being on the road, and I could see it being a double-digit margin after the final horn.

Both of these teams play a slower-paced game with offenses that don’t rely on a ton of transition scoring. For this reason, the under really seems like the right play here. The Heat and Mavs are allowing a combined 200 points to opposing teams, so don’t expect that to change considerably.

TV Schedule

Date: 11/2/21
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
Channel: TNT

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Miami Heat Starting Lineup

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Jimmy Butler
SF: P.J. Tucker
PF: Duncan Robinson
C: Bam Adebayo

Miami Heat Analysis

Everything is clicking with the Miami Heat through their first six games. Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro are averaging over 20 points per game and are on pace to have career years this season. While it is still early, it is clear that they have everything they need to win an NBA Championship, assuming they are able to keep this up. There were some offensive issues in terms of efficiency in the first few games of the 2021-22 season. Still, Miami has quickly dismissed that concern, ranking third in points per game, fourth in offensive efficiency, and tenth in eFG% (effective field goal percentage). This game should be simple for the Heat: limit Doncic offensively and make everyone else beat them. The Mavericks don’t have enough offensive talent to outscore them.

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF: Dorian Finney-Smith
PF: Reggie Bullock
C: Dwight Powell

Dallas Mavericks Analysis

Dallas has been relatively solid defensively through its first six games, but it hasn’t been able to hide the offensive struggles visible to even the most casual sports fans. The fundamental issue to the Mavs’ offensive troubles is this: Luka Doncic can’t do everything. Right now, Doncic averages 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. His points per game average is a bit low, but everything else looks normal. Outside of Doncic, Dallas has Kristaps Porzingis, who averages 12.7 points per game, which is by far a career-low for him, and Tim Hardaway Jr, who averages 13.3 points per game. Unfortunately, Porzingis and Maxi Kleber are out for this bout against the Heat with back injuries. Now, Dallas should struggle even more than before, especially against a much better team. The Mavericks don’t look like a 4-2 team, largely because their wins have come against the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets so far this season. They are better than all of them. However, they will lose badly against the Heat in this one.

Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks Daily Fantasy Picks

Jimmy Butler has been playing like an MVP so far this season. Butler has averaged 25.3 points, seven rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game through the Heat’s first six games. It is hard to say whether or not Butler can keep this level of production up on both the offensive and defensive ends; however, you have to ride the wave right now and grab him while he is playing so well.

Bam Adebayo has had a spectacular start to his 2021-22 season. Through five games, Adebayo is averaging 20.6 points and 14 rebounds per game. His 14 rebounds per game currently rank fourth in the NBA, with only Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, and Jonas Valanciunas ranking ahead of him at the moment. Adebayo continues to improve his offensive skillset each year, and I don’t think he has hit his ceiling yet as a professional. Throughout this season, Bam’s numbers should be steady and potentially even increase. Snag him if the value is right.

I would avoid playing anybody from the Mavericks in DFS right now. Luka has put up 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists so far, but his salary far outweighs his current production. The second-highest leading scorer for Dallas is Tim Hardaway Jr, averaging just 13.3 points per game. There is not any consistency right now from any of the players, and Luka has not been as good as he can be; therefore, it is best to avoid Dallas players unless you need to scoop one for a utility spot because you do not have enough budget for anyone else.