MIAMI, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Tim Hardaway's three-pointer with five minutes to play in the third quarter essentially put the game out of reach Friday night as the Dallas Mavericks handed Miami a seventh straight loss, 104-94.
The starting point guard for the Heat for the previous five-plus seasons, Hardaway helped Miami become a perennial playoff team. But injuries took a toll and Heat coach Pat Riley shipped him to Dallas in the offseason.
But Riley could use a player with the heart Hardaway showed during his tenure in South Florida. Miami is winless since Nov. 6.
Although Dallas led for entire second half, it was Hardaway's three-pointer off a feed from fellow reserve guard Adrian Griffin that gave the Mavericks a 66-57 lead. The advantage quickly swelled to 11 by the end of the quarter and Miami did not get closer than nine in the final period.
Hardaway finished with five points in 17 minutes. He had a pair of rebounds and one assist for the Maverickss, who have won two in a row after three-game losing streak during which they allowed an average of 114.6 points.
The Heat could not take advantage of any defensive struggles Dallas might have had. Eddie Jones scored 22 points, but the other four Miami starters combined for 24 while making just 10 of 27 shots.
