The Miami Heat finished preseason without Giannis Antetokounmpo and, in their final tune-up, dropped a competitive game to the Orlando Magic, who kept their starters on the floor deep into the second half. Even in a loss, there were a few clear themes that stood out - and one guard in particular looked like a crucial piece of the season ahead.
Davion logged 15 minutes and put up 7 points with 5 assists, numbers that won’t jump off the page. But the game seemed to move on his terms whenever he was out there. He kept the pace humming, got two feet in the paint, and repeatedly forced Orlando’s defense to rotate.
The rookie was just as notable. He turned in a strong all-around night with 21 points, 7 assists, 1 steal and 1 rebound, and looked increasingly comfortable finding his spots.
He appeared especially settled when playing off the ball, though he still mixed in enough self-created baskets to show he can do more than just play within the flow. His shooting splits of 52.9/42.9 point to a promising direction for the young guard.
Not every perimeter piece found the same groove. Thompson went 0 for the century and has been struggling badly from the floor all preseason.
Even so, he continued to show solid defense and good decision-making. Given that he shot 38 percent from three-point range on nearly eight attempts per game last season, there’s reason to expect his numbers to normalize sooner rather than later.
The second unit’s ball handling remains a concern. It was rough once Davion sat, and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Andrew Wiggins only offer limited creation.
Both can use their size and savvy to get to mid-range pull-up jumpers, but that’s about the extent of it. Ryan, as noted, looks best off the ball, and the night showed what happens when he has to shoulder more of the creation load.
Tre Donaldson, who is on a two way for the Heat, could see some run if Davion ever misses time. Otherwise, Miami may look for a veteran guard later in the season.
Even without Bam and Giannis, the Heat showed they have some real depth. Nick Richards, Bobby Portis and Niko Jovic helped keep them competitive on the glass, and Miami was only outrebounded 56-64. They also stayed close inside, finishing with 44-50 points in the paint.
Richards’ contract remains a question because it is non-guaranteed, but his case got stronger with another productive night: 11 rebounds and 3 assists. He looks comfortable in the rotation, and the best move may be to keep him around.
Miami’s next game comes when the results count for real, Wednesday, October 21st against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In Other News...
Heat May Have Found A Giannis Fit They Didn't Expect
Simone Fontecchio has quietly given Miami a reason to pay attention this preseason. In the game against Brooklyn, the Heat wing put up 11 points in less than 14 minutes and knocked down 3 of 4 shots from deep, a useful reminder of why his floor-spacing profile matters. Last season, he connected on 37.5 percent of his three-pointers, and that kind of shooting is exactly the sort of skill set that can travel in a rotation built around a star who draws so much defensive attention.
For the Heat, the appeal is less about flash and more about fit. Fontecchio does not need the ball to matter, and if his outside shot holds, he could become the kind of depth piece that quietly makes lineups work better alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. The preseason sample is still small, of course, but Miami has every reason to keep tracking whether this is a hot stretch or the start of something more reliable. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Just Sent A Clear Signal About Their Young Frontcourt
The Heat continued shaping their developmental pipeline by signing forward Ezra Ausar to an Exhibit 10 contract and waiving Ian Schieffelin in a corresponding move. Both players are expected to land with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, giving Miami another look at young frontcourt talent as the organization trims down its roster ahead of the regular season.
For a team that has long valued internal development, the latest transaction fits neatly into the bigger picture. Exhibit 10 deals can help funnel prospects into the G-League system, and with the Skyforce standing as Miamis main proving ground, this move adds another name to the mix as the Heat continue finalizing the young core they want in place for the year ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Bam Adebayos Absence Puts Miamis New Frontcourt Plans On Edge
Bam Adebayo will sit out the Miami Heats final preseason game with a groin injury, staying back in Miami while the team heads to face the Orlando Magic. Its the latest missed chance for the Heat to see how their frontcourt is coming together, and it comes after Adebayo was already unavailable for previous preseason games as the staff continued sorting through rotations and options.
Erik Spoelstra has leaned on alternatives such as Nick Richards while Adebayo has been out, but the bigger question is still hanging over the start of the season. Adebayos status for the regular-season opener remains uncertain, leaving Miami to keep evaluating how it wants to piece together the front line if its anchor big man is not ready to go. [Read more 🡒]