Jimmy Butler delivered a standout performance, scoring a season-high 33 points to lead the Miami Heat to a thrilling 123-118 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night. Butler’s heroics, combined with key contributions from Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and others, helped the Heat overcome a determined Mavericks squad despite missing Luka Dončić due to injury.
Butler was instrumental in keeping Miami in the game, capping off his performance with a game-tying dunk with 4.4 seconds left in regulation. The Heat unsuccessfully argued that Butler was fouled by Dereck Lively II on the play.
Bam Adebayo recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyler Herro added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Alec Burks chipped in 15 points, and Pelle Larsson contributed 14 in a balanced team effort.
Kyrie Irving had 27 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, leading the Mavericks in a late-game surge. P.J. Washington scored 21, Naji Marshall added 20, Klay Thompson had 15, and Dereck Lively II posted 14 points and 13 rebounds in the losing effort.
The game turned on Butler’s late dunk that sent it to overtime. Spencer Dinwiddie’s desperation 3-point attempt for Dallas rimmed out as regulation ended, setting the stage for Miami to take control in the extra period. Dinwiddie struggled from beyond the arc, going 0-for-9 from 3-point range.
Dallas has been in 17 games this season, with 11 decided by eight points or fewer. They are 4-7 in those tight contests and 5-1 in games with wider margins, reflecting the team’s challenges in clutch situations.
Butler has now scored at least 30 points in consecutive games, marking the ninth multi-game 30-point streak of his Miami career, including playoffs.
Miami was without Terry Rozier, who was scratched due to right foot discomfort, but the team’s depth and determination carried them past a Mavericks squad missing Luka Dončić, who is sidelined with a sprained right wrist.
The game featured two lead changes in the opening 57 seconds, only one over the next 43 minutes, and six more in the final stretch, showcasing the dramatic swings in momentum down the stretch.
The Mavericks will face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night to conclude their three-game road trip. The Heat will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup game as the in-season tournament heats up.
With this win, Miami strengthens its position, while Dallas will look to bounce back after seeing its four-game winning streak snapped. Both teams displayed playoff-level intensity, setting the stage for more excitement as the season unfolds.
