Hassan Whiteside provides spark in Miami Heat’s win over Dallas Mavericks

Game recap: Miami Heat beat Dallas Mavericks, 93-90.

In his first game back after missing the last five with an oblique injury, Hassan Whiteside perhaps had the biggest impact for the Miami Heat Wednesday, totaling 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in 17 minutes off the bench.

Whiteside was listed as questionable before the game and, with the Heat going 4-1 in his absence, questions surrounded whether or not his presence was necessary for this team.

His offensive spark was huge, and the way he deterred the Dallas Mavericks from getting to the rim was hugely important. Whiteside didn’t close out the game, but his impact in the middle of it helped give the Heat an edge.

It was Bosh’s offense, too, that was so important for the Heat. Miami struggled to shoot the ball for the second-straight game, making just 42 percent of its shots including going just 2-for-15 from beyond the arc. Bosh scored a team-high 20 points, despite going 0-for-6 from 3-point range.

The game was close down to the very end. With less than two minutes left, Luol Deng blocked a Dirk Nowitski jumper and, a few possessions later, hit a 3-pointer with 1:04 left to extent Miami’s lead to five points. Dwyane Wade hit an important free throw late.

Chris Bosh blanketed Raymond Felton on the final possession. Felton went back and forth, trying to create some room, any room, against the lanky forward. He couldn’t. Nothing. No room at all. Bosh was on him like Donal Trump on the news. Felton forced up a shot that had no chance of going in, Goran Dragic grabbed the rebound and the Miami Heat walked off the floor with their fifth win in six games.

Miami’s offense is still struggling to make shots, but they turned the ball over just seven times (10 fewer times than against the Houston Rockets Tuesday). They controlled the game, which is more we can say about the loss to the Rockets.

Three stars

Chris Bosh finished with a team-high 20 points on 10-of-23 shooting and four rebounds.

Hassan Whiteside totaled 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting, nine rebounds and five blocks. He also passed the ball better, finishing with one assist but didn’t get credit for a pass or two when the shot didn’t go in.

Dwyane Wade finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Highlights

"CB back home in Dallas. Rim rattler."

Up next

The Miami Heat (28-22) travel to take on the Charlotte Hornets Friday at 7 pm ET.