MIAMI Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 106-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks: Sometimes, it’s about the kid stuff. So allow Kel’el Ware his flex after a third-quarter blocked shot. And Keshad Johnson his revelry after his thunderous second-quarter transition dunk. And Davion Mitchell his fist pumps after a second-half steal against 2025 draft talking point Cooper Flagg. No, the Heat did not win June’s lottery like the Mavericks. Nor did they even consider a soft tank to land in that lottery. But don’t sell short the youthful exuberance Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is throwing out there on a regular basis. Yes, 30-something Norman Powell has been the team’s MVP to this stage. And old soul Bam Adebayo has been the glue. But against the Mavericks and their lottery prize, the Heat showed ample young legs. Which was exactly as needed on the second night of the back-to-back set that opened with Sunday’s victory in Philadelphia. So to recap: The Heat are winning, now 12-6. The Heat are scoring, Monday a rare non-explosive night. And there is enough youthful vigor to push through games such as this, the third in four nights. With Tyler Herro back and Powell out, the Heat’s lineup decision was as simple as subbing one out for the other, with the Heat otherwise opening with the same lineup as the previous two games. That made the first five Herro, Adebayo, Ware, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson. Spoelstra downplayed the severity of Powell’s latest groin strain. “The level of concern is not super high,” Spoelstra said. “Look,” Spoelstra said, “how much we have to disclose now, you wouldn’t even say Norm’s injury was a strain 10 years ago. You’d just say it’s sore.” Of Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic being out, Spoelstra said, “The three guys, it’s manageable right now. We’ll see where that is. They’re all day-to-day, which I’m super grateful for.” The Mavericks, still without Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, opening with a lineup of Brandon Williams, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. The teams each opened 0 for 5. With Adebayo opening 0 for 3 from the line. The Heat later fell to 0 for 7 from the field. Before Mitchell, with 7: 02 left in the opening period, converted the Heat’s first basket. Jaime Jaquez Jr. then again was first off the Heat bench. Simone Fontecchio followed, when Larsson was called for his second foul. With Johnson then making his third consecutive rotation appearance. And Dru Smith rounding out the first nine. Spoelstra said he was as surprised as anyone that Herro was forced to undergo September ankle surgery. “I know how much work he’s been putting in. But I know how much he wanted to be ready for training camp,” Spoelstra said. “I literally went to one of his workouts in late July, before I went on vacation, and he looked amazing. And then when I came back in the middle of August, he was starting to feel that it was off.” Spoelstra also scoffed at any concerns about Herro adjusting to the Heat uptick in pace. “It’s not like he hasn’t been working behind the scenes,” Spoelstra said before the game. “Did I have a discussion with him today? No, but we’ve got a lot of practices, shootarounds, a lot of discussions since training camp about how he can fit in. This is just going to be an absolute add. His skill level is going to fit right in.” Spoelstra added, “And we’re familiar with him; he’s familiar with us. So, yes, there’s some things we’re doing a little differently offensively. But defensively, he’s been with us for a long time. He’s been with our culture. He was on a really good defensive team last year.”.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/24/windermans-view-youth-exuberance-for-a-heat-on-a-night-when-needed-vs-dallas/
Winderman’s view: Youthful exuberance for a Heat on a night when needed vs. Dallas
