GAME 25: MIA (19-7) @ DAL (17-8) | 118-122 OT loss

[j0Shi]

Keys:

• vs East elite: Miami starts a stretch against the top five teams in the East within eight days. I think a reasonable expectation is 2-3. Win the two home games today and vs. Boston and see what you can do on the road in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Toronto. Good news is that even if the Mavs come down to earth before Christmas against a brutal schedule, they'll still be at least five games over .500 and a couple wins ahead of the 9th seed. That's brilliant.
  
• Bam: Easy to pick Jimmy, but I'd like to preview a different individual player for the Heat. Center Bam Adebayo stepped into a bigger role this season for Miami and so far is a lock to make his All-Star team debut. There's a legitimate chance he'll become a bigger Draymond Green. He's brilliant defensively and can guard all positions. On top of it, he has developed a smooth offensive game. He's a great pick and roll player, power dunker, but also a finesse finisher around the rim, including a floater, and can take other centers off the dribble.
  
• Powell: That's why Dwight Powell will have his hands full tonight. He's not a great fit on paper. Ideally you want a stretch big who can draw him away from the basket and a bigger body defensively. Good thing we have Maxi, KP, and BOBAN as additional options.
  
• 20-5-5: Think Luka is a t 19 (?) consecutive games with at least 20 points, five assists and five rebound, which is the most since the merger. Top is Chamberlain with a streak of 29. This will remain a talking point until Luka gets to Wilt or his streak ends.
  
• Delon Wright injury: Wright has been updates to probable, which is really encouraging. Even if he doesn't turn out to play tonight, it certainly means that the injury wasn't serious.
  
• Seth Curry emergence: Looks like Seth Curry might have finally arrived. Over his last five he is shooting a casual 55/50/90 from the field while averaging 14 points per game. More of that, please.