The demon sweep almost didn't happen.

This was the week the Mavericks would take a bite out of the evil spirits of playoffs past.

They finally got it done, even if some of the fiendish foes were wearing Armani suits instead of knee-length shorts.

Two nights after dispatching Golden State, the Mavericks took down a light-beer version of the Miami Heat. 94-89, Friday at American Airlines Center.

It took two free throws from an otherwise off-the-mark Josh Howard with 6.7 seconds left, plus a steal by Devin Harris on the Heat's last gasp, to secure the victory.

As hard as the Mavericks had to work, you'd have never guessed Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, the two heartbreakers from the 2006 NBA Finals, didn't suit up. But the Heat players who did nearly pulled off a stunner as the Mavericks clearly weren't interested in taking advantage of a huge manpower advantage.

"I think the first two quarters we did get lulled to sleep," Howard said. "We weren't playing our best basketball. But we stepped it up in the fourth."

The Mavericks held the Heat to 5-of-16 shooting in the final 12 minutes and seven points in the last six minutes. It was a far cry from the first three quarters, which the Heat owned.

"They took it to us," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said of the Heat. "We were settling for too many jump shots, and when we don't play well we settle for jump shots, we don't move the ball, we don't guard.

"When we talk, move the ball and are physical, we can be pretty good."

The Mavericks did none of the above for three quarters. Which is why it wasn't easy for them to be happy about this win, even though it was their third in a row.

And it came with a price. Jerry Stackhouse did not play in the second half because of a sprained right thumb. He left the arena in a splint

"I hyperextended it," he said. "It bent backward and swelled up pretty bad. We'll ice it and see how it feels."

X-rays were negative. Stackhouse's absence was compounded by Erick Dampier's left knee problems. He did not suit up.

Still, the Mavericks had no room to complain, based on who was out for the Heat. That made this not nearly as uplifting a win as the one over the Warriors, who had dismantled the Mavericks in the '07 first round.

This one was very much in doubt, even against a group of unknown Miami representatives, until late in the fourth quarter.

Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, including one on an Alexander Johnson layup attempt with 2:23 left that kept the Mavericks ahead, 85-84.

Jason Terry scraped up a tough offensive rebound, and Josh Howard atoned for a poor shooting game with an 18-footer. After Udonis Haslem missed for the Heat, Nowitzki hit a jumper for an 89-84 advantage with 1:15 left.

The Mavericks trailed by eight at halftime and by 10 in the third quarter. Howard missed 10 shots and half of his eight free throws.

Among the few bright spots were Eddie Jones, who scored a season-best 17 points against his former team, and Trenton Hassell, who helped fill the void left by Stackhouse.

After the Heat pulled within 90-89 with 14.5 seconds left, the ball was tipped by Nowitzki and Udonis Haslem on the Mavericks' inbounds play and was ruled to have touched Nowitzki last.

Ricky Davis missed a tough reverse layup, and Howard was fouled. His free throws, and Harris' steal, sealed the deal.