The Sports Xchange
Dec 22, 2017
MIAMI -- Wayne Ellington scored 28 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 113-101 victory over the Dallas Mavericks Friday night.
Ellington shot 10 of 16 from the field and hit a career-high eight 3-pointers, including four in the fourth quarter.
Consecutive 3-pointers from Ellington midway through the fourth quarter increased the Heat's lead to 90-82 with 7:36 remaining.
Josh Richardson scored 24 points on 11-of-14 shooting and Tyler Johnson finished with 19 points for Miami (17-15).
The roster-depleted Heat lost another starter to injury after starting guard Dion Waiters limped off the court with an apparent left ankle injury late in the first quarter and didn't return. Starters Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside and key reserves James Johnson and Justise Winslow sat out Friday because of injuries.
Yogi Ferrell scored 23 points, and hit 9 of 13 3-pointers for Dallas. The Mavericks hit 17 3-pointers.
Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes each scored 20 for the Mavericks (9-25).
The Heat scored 12 unanswered points to start the game and twice had 13-point leads in the first half before the Mavericks outscored Miami 16-7 in the final 5:54 of the second period. J.J. Barea's layup with 52 seconds remaining in the quarter tied it at halftime 53-53.
NOTES: As he continues to recover from the foot injury that has sidelined him all season, F Josh McRoberts watched Friday night's game from the Dallas bench against the team he played for the past three seasons. Coach Rick Carlyle said it is not unreasonable for McRoberts to return in the "coming weeks." ... G Dennis Smith Jr.'s minutes remain restricted after his second appearance since returning from a left hip strain that sidelined him six games. Smith played 26 minutes against Miami. ... On Saturday, the Heat will conclude its first set of back-to-back home games since 2011-12. Miami played seven back-to-back home games in the lockout shortened season ... G Dion Waiters' first quarter injury resulted in rotation minutes for rookie G Derrick Walton Jr. Walton scored seven points in 23 minutes.