The fourth quarter opened with the Mavericks clinging to a narrow 82–79 lead. The energy in the American Airlines Center had shifted—more anxious than electric. Miami had clawed their way back, riding the two-man game of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Every screen was set with extra force, every possession stretched to the final second of the shot clock.
Zoran sat on the bench for the first three minutes, towel over his head, breathing slow and deep. His legs were tight. His shoulders ached. But more than anything, his mind was locked in.
"Back in," Coach Kidd called out.
Zoran peeled off the towel, slapped palms with Klay Thompson, and jogged back onto the court. Miami had gone on a 7–2 run, and the Mavericks now trailed 86–84.
No panic.
He brought the ball up, scanning the floor. Miami had shifted into a switch-heavy scheme, trying to isolate him with length. Caleb Martin picked him up at the top of the arc, hands low, body twitching like he was waiting to pounce.
Zoran didn't give him the chance.
Quick jab right, then burst left. The hesitation at the free throw line made Bam Adebayo hesitate just long enough—and Zoran threaded a bounce pass through the sliver of space to Dereck Lively II for a thunderous dunk.
Tie game. 86–86.
The next few minutes were a blur of bodies and whistles. Herro hit a tough floater. Dinwiddie responded with a corner triple. Bam got a putback. Klay got a midrange.
Then Zoran got hot.
With five minutes left and the score tied at 91, he took control. Not loudly. Not with theatrics. Just possession after possession of high-IQ basketball.
He ran a high screen with Lively, and when the Heat trapped, he split the defenders and hit a floater.
Next trip down, he passed up a decent look to swing it to Max Christie in the corner—splash.
Then he locked up Herro on a switch, forcing a wild stepback three that missed everything.
With 2:03 left on the clock and the Mavs up 98–95, Miami called timeout. The crowd rose to their feet. The camera panned to Zoran, face stoic, hands on hips. No celebration. Just laser focus.
"Close it out," Coach Kidd said in the huddle. "Play smart, no hero ball."
They did.
Zoran made the right reads. Used the clock. Made sure everyone touched the ball. On the final possession, with Miami scrambling and trying to trap, he found Klay on a backdoor cut for the dagger layup.
Final score: Mavericks 104, Heat 99.
Zoran didn't check his stat sheet. He didn't have to.
The applause, the pats on the back, the way the veterans nodded at him in the tunnel—that told him enough.
But the media wouldn't let it go unnoticed.
—
Postgame Press Conference – November 1, 2024
"…Zoran Vranes, the rookie on a 10-day contract, posted another efficient night with 12 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals in just 24 minutes," the ESPN reporter said. "He's been nothing short of composed in every appearance."
In the locker room, whispers were getting louder.
"Kinda wild, huh? He's on a 10-day and playing like a vet," one reporter murmured.
"Yeah, but what happens when Kyrie comes back?" another said. "You can't keep everybody."
Coach Kidd sidestepped the questions with practiced calm.
"We're just taking it one game at a time," he said. "Zoran's earned his minutes. He plays the right way. The rest will sort itself out."
—
Zoran's Final Box Score vs. Miami:
PTS: 12
AST: 6
REB: 2
STL: 3
FG: 5/9
3PT: 1/2
FT: 1/1
MIN: 24
+/-: +8