Preview: Mavs can clinch Southwest Division title with win in Miami

MIAMI — Before the season started, making the playoffs was one of the primary goals the Dallas Mavericks established for themselves.

That mission has been accomplished.

The Mavs clinched a Western Conference playoff spot with Tuesday’s 130-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets coupled with the Phoenix Suns’ 105-92 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. In the process, the Mavs have won 15 of their last 17 games and can clinch the Southwest Division title with a victory Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

The victory over the Hornets was meaningful for several reasons. For one, point guard Luka Dončić passed Mark Aguirre and became the Mavs’ single-season scoring champion.

Aguirre scored 2,330 points during the 1983-84 season, and Dončić has 2,332 points so far this season with three games remaining.

“It’s incredible what Luka has done,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He’s going to rewrite the record books for the Mavericks, and also the NBA.

“For him to pass Mark is incredible, because Mark is a legend with the Mavs. He owns a lot of records when it comes to scoring, and so it just shows what Luka has done and just how better he’s gotten here year-to-year.”

Against the Hornets, Dončić established a solid tone right away as he came out swinging. The six-year veteran had 21 points by the end of the first quarter at a time when Charlotte only had 18 points. In the end, Dončić recorded his 21^st triple-double of the season as he finished with 39 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

“(Luka) came out and didn’t wait,” Kidd said. “He was aggressive, looking to get his shot, ball touching the paint, getting to the rim (and) making plays for other guys. I thought a lot of the ones that he did miss were good.”

And because of that big first quarter by Dončić, the Mavs were eventually able to pad their lead to 26 points. Now, they can concentrate on winning 50 games, winning the Southwest Division, and eventually getting some much-needed rest next week before the playoffs start on April 20.

“We’re just trying to take care of what’s in front of us,” Kidd said. “Our next opponent is the Miami Heat, so we have to get ready. That’s going to be a physical matchup.”

Here are some other nuggets surrounding Wednesday’s game between the Mavs and Heat.

*This is the finale of a short two-game trip before the Mavs return home to entertain the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Their regular-season finale is in Oklahoma City on Sunday, then they will prepare for the playoffs.

*Miami is in a dogfight with several teams in their quest to stay out of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The Heat are currently in eighth place in the East. After battling the Mavs, the Heat will finish the regular season with a pair of home games against the Toronto Raptors on Friday and Sunday.

*The Mavs and Heat have a long history of not caring for one another. After the Mavs went up 2-0 on Miami in the 2006 NBA Finals, the Heat rallied and won the next four games and the championship. And after Miami went up 2-1 on Dallas in the 2011 NBA Finals, the Mavs rallied and won the next three games and the championship.

*Miami has won five of its last seven games. That includes Tuesday’s 117-111 double-overtime road victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro (33 points), Jimmy Butler (25 points, eight rebounds, nine assists) and Nikola Jovic (23 points, eight boards) were the big difference makers for Miami against the Hawks.

*The Mavs are the hottest team in the NBA after reeling off 15 wins in their last 17 games. And they’re winning with blowouts, close games, physical games and in run-and-gun affairs. Apparently, it’s all coming together at the right time for the Mavs.

*All of this incredible winning by the Mavs started on March 7 when they defeated Miami, 114-108, behind 35 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists from Luka Dončić. Kyrie Irving also scored 23 points in that game, while the Heat were led by Terry Rozier (27 points, six rebounds, 11 assists) and Duncan Robinson (19 points).

*They still have two more road games remaining, but the Mavs have already won 24 games away from home this season. That’s the most games they’ve won away from American Airlines Center since they won 28 road games during the 2010-11 championship season.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (49-30) at MIAMI HEAT (44-35)

When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday

Where: Kaseya Center, Miami

TV:  WFAA, UniMás

Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @DwainPrice