Kyrie Irving was cleared Sunday, but Cooper Flagg's shoulder keeps the Mavericks short-handed at Miami tonight. The Heat are 0-3 and allowing 121.4 points per 100 possessions, so Dallas has a real chance at a road win.
Irving Clears, Flagg Waits
Irving went from day-to-day to cleared on October 25, one day after his knee and rest tags. Flagg is another matter. His left shoulder carries an estimated return of today, yet Hoops Rumors reported on October 24 that he will be reevaluated next week. Those two dates do not match, so plan for Dallas without him. Caleb Martin also lists today as his estimated return. Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama are all pointed at Wednesday against Oklahoma City.
Miami Is Leaking Points
The Heat have lost three straight and sit at 0-3. They are giving up 121.4 per 100 possessions while scoring 105.1, a gap of 16.3 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.3 and Davion Mitchell 8.7 assists, so the stars are producing and the rest is failing. Dallas scores at 112.0 per 100. Miami also plays faster, 103.2 possessions to Dallas's 100.3, which suits a Mavericks team that wants to run against a defense in trouble.
Cisse And The Middle
The number to track is 26.0. That is how many minutes Moussa Cisse has played a night over the last five games, nearly double his earlier load. With Lively and Aldama sidelined, he is a starter's workload at center. The open question is whether Dallas can defend the rim without them. The Mavericks are 10th at 1-2, a game and a half behind sixth-place Portland, and the standings are tight enough that this game matters.
Is Cooper Flagg playing tonight against the Heat?
He is listed out with a left shoulder issue. Hoops Rumors reported on October 24 that he will be reevaluated next week.
What is the Heat's record this season?
Miami is 0-3 and has lost three straight. Dallas is 1-2 and sits 10th in the West.
