The Heat may already have found a cleaner way to lean into Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Miami led the NBA in pace last season, and there’s a strong case for keeping that foot on the gas now that Antetokounmpo is in town. The roster around him is built with speed in mind, with Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo giving the Heat plenty of athleticism to work with.
The other wrinkle is that Antetokounmpo can fuel the break without needing every possession to turn into a full-court sprint. One rebound can become transition offense in a flash if he grabs it and pushes immediately.
Miami already flashed some of that style in its preseason game against Toronto, and the fit makes sense on paper. With Giannis, slowing things down probably is not the first choice.
New Orleans, meanwhile, is still sorting out the same old problems even with Jamahl Mosley now on the sideline.
The Pelicans’ starting five of Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Yves Missi had a rough opening stretch in Wednesday’s 116-110 preseason win over Oklahoma City. The issues were the ones that have hovered around this group before: spacing, offensive structure and defense. Williamson was efficient, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, but the starters as a unit managed only 14-of-38 from the field.
The Pelicans did recover behind their reserves, though much of that push came against Oklahoma City’s deeper bench. It is preseason, so there is no need to overreact. But a new coach does not magically solve roster fit.
Chicago got a pair of encouraging rookie showings Wednesday.
Dailyn Swain shook off a shaky first stint and finished with 10 points, six assists, two rebounds and two steals while going 3-of-3 from the field. Coach Tiago Splitter said, via NBA on SI, “He just has to be aggressive and drive the ball,” and added, “He can do it. We have seen it in practice.”
Tobe Awaka had the stronger stat line, posting 14 points and 11 rebounds with six coming on the offensive glass. Splitter described his work on the boards this way: “It’s a combination of strength and willpower,” and, “That guy is going for every rebound.”
Neither rookie is locked into a major role once the regular season starts, but both used the preseason to make themselves hard to ignore.
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The Bulls second preseason game offered more than a 104-100 loss to Memphis, because it also gave a clearer look at a few players whose roles could matter once the games count. Norman Powell continued to look like the kind of steady offensive presence Chicago can lean on, while Leonard Miller flashed as a useful forward option off the bench and Caleb Wilson showed the kind of scoring ability that can change the feel of a rotation spot if it keeps showing up.
Wilsons night was the most eye-catching because it took a while to get going before the offense finally came around in a big way. For a Bulls team still sorting out what it can trust in the regular season, those kinds of preseason signs matter, especially when they come from players trying to carve out minutes and prove they belong in a deeper, more dependable mix. [Read more 🡒]
Matas Buzelis Exit Brings An Early Bulls Concern Into Focus
Matas Buzelis preseason night against Memphis brought an early dose of concern for the Bulls, as the rookie wing was forced out with a right ankle injury and did not return. Before leaving, Buzelis had logged 12 minutes and scored 6 points, offering another look at the energy and length Chicago is hoping to tap into as it sorts through the preseason rotation.
The injury adds another layer of unease to a game that already featured a brief scare for Buzelis earlier in the night after a hard fall while contesting a block. His immediate status remains unknown, and for a Bulls team trying to build momentum before the regular season, any setback involving a young piece with real upside is going to draw close attention. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Rookie Dailyn Swain Suddenly Has A Real Chance To Climb
Dailyn Swain wasted little time making a case for more responsibility in his first preseason game, finishing with 10 points and 6 assists in the Bulls win over the Phoenix Suns. The No. 15 pick looked comfortable running the offense, and with the team getting ready to face the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center, his debut created a new layer of intrigue for Chicagos backcourt.
Tiago Splitter had already hinted at a bigger role for Swain moving forward, and the timing matters with Tre Jones sidelined by left hip soreness. For a rookie trying to find his footing, the door is suddenly open, and the Bulls have reason to see whether Swain can handle the kind of ball-handling duties that could stick beyond preseason. [Read more 🡒]