The Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks both secured their spots in the upcoming decisive play-in games after overwhelming victories in their respective matchups, showcasing their determination to clinch the final playoff spots in the Eastern and Western Conference of the NBA.

In a standout performance, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat took charge with an impressive 38-point game, leading his team to a commanding 109-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls. This win not only kept Miami's Eastern Conference playoff aspirations alive but also marked the end of the Bulls' season. With this victory, the Heat now face a critical winner-take-all showdown against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, where the victor will advance to the first round of the playoffs to face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

Reflecting on the teams approach, Herro told ESPN, We just came out in attack mode. We had a couple of days off since the last game myself, my teammates and the coaching staff put in a lot of work, and it paid off. Weve got one more to go. The job is not done yet, just to get in the playoffs. So weve got a long way to go. His enthusiasm was palpable, echoing the sentiments of a team eager to turn their season around.

Herro was supported by key performances from Andrew Wiggins, who contributed 20 points, while Bam Adebayo and Davion Mitchell each added 15 points. On the other side of the court, Australian international Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 25 points in a losing effort. This victory for Miami also meant that the Bulls have now been eliminated from the play-in tournament by the Heat for three consecutive seasons, a trend that underscores Miamis dominance in these high-stakes matchups.

Throughout the game, Miami established their control early. Herros stellar shooting performance allowed the Heat to build a significant lead from the onset, as he scored 16 points in the first quarter alone, helping Miami to a 39-28 advantage by the end of the period. The second quarter was even more telling, as the Heat outscored Chicago 32-19, extending their lead to 71-47. Despite a spirited rally from the Bulls in the third quarter, where they outscored the Heat 27-17, it was not enough to close the gap as Miami maintained their composure to secure a comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks also made headlines with a decisive 120-106 win against the Sacramento Kings. The Mavericks, who barely made it into the play-in tournament by finishing 10th in the Western Conference, were led by the dynamic duo of Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, who combined for an impressive 50 points. This victory abruptly ended Sacramento's season and propelled Dallas forward in the playoff race.

Thompson, a former star with the Golden State Warriors, scored 23 points in a game where the Mavericks took control during a formidable second quarter, outscoring the Kings 44-19. Davis, who was traded to Dallas from the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this season, added 27 points along with nine rebounds. After the game, Thompson expressed his teams mindset: Were so desperate to keep the postseason alive. Its a privilege to play basketball at this time of year. I told the guys before the game, We have nothing to lose. Go out there with a free swing, play for each other and play free-minded. Because thats when were at our best.

As a result of this victory, the Mavericks are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, with the winner moving on to the first round of the playoffs where they will encounter the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The stakes couldnt be higher for both teams as they strive to secure their postseason dreams.