The Miami Heat took on the Toronto Raptors in Québec City on Saturday night. While it marked the start of NBA preseason, it also marked star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first game appearance with his new team.
He played only the first half of Miami’s 129-105 preseason blowout win, but that limited action was enough to affect the game and show how the Heat could use him on offense this season.
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Antetokounmpo didn’t score Miami’s first points. Andrew Wiggins got the honor, nailing a three off a pass from Antetokounmpo. This became a common play for the Heat: the star forward barrels down the lane, then kicks out to the arc for a teammate to hit a three.
The forward scored his first points with Miami on a layup early in the first quarter, and converted the and-one.
New team? Same fadeaway. Antetokounmpo made sure to pack his smooth jumper on the road trip.
The Miami forward finished the game with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Antetokounmpo shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field but didn’t attempt a 3-pointer. He also went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe.
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The forward played 14 minutes in the first half and nearly had a double-double. With Miami up 20 through the first two quarters, the Heat rested their starters for the second half.
Antetokounmpo seemed to debut a new pre-game ritual. It will be interesting to see if he continues this in Miami or during the regular season. It is similar to the sprint that Russell Westbrook used to do down the court ahead of the action, with The Greek Freak’s added flair.
Antetokounmpo finally got the trade he wanted this past summer as the Milwaukee Bucks sent him and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, and five draft picks.
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Saturday night’s win over Toronto was the first of five preseason games the Heat will play. Miami will face the New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Orlando Magic before beginning the regular season at home against Minnesota on Wednesday, October 21.
