The Heat finally have their first win. Miami improved to 1-4 with a 129-117 victory over Atlanta, featuring a more comfortable Bam, strong supporting performances, and encouraging ways to involve Giannis. Concerns remain, especially defensively, but this was progress.
1. Bam found his rhythm and made history
Bam got back to his midrange game and looked more comfortable finding his offense. He finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, shooting 8/6 from the field and 8/9 at the line.
He also became the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder. A franchise milestone made an already productive night more memorable. Miami is still figuring out the Bam x Giannis partnership, but getting Bam into familiar scoring spots helped him find his rhythm.
2. Hardaway is becoming difficult to play
Tim Hardaway Jr. had a better offensive night, scoring 14 points on 6/10 shooting, including 2/3 from deep. The problem was on the other end, where Atlanta hunted him defensively.
Even when his shot is falling, those defensive possessions make his minutes difficult to justify. He is becoming almost unplayable defensively, and Miami needs more than scoring to justify those minutes.
3. Davion continues to impress
Davion Mitchell finished with 10 points and 10 assists, committing only two turnovers. He did a great job pushing the break and getting downhill to create opportunities.
His ability to get Miami moving and distribute the ball continues to stand out. This was another encouraging performance.
4. Wiggins and Pelle thrived
Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points, shooting 6/9 overall and 4/7 from three. I liked his mismatch hunting and saw better defensive recovery.
Pelle Larsson added 17 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. His two-man game with Giannis was encouraging, and he confidently stepped into threes while also getting downhill. Both provided important production around Miami's stars.
5. Keep building on Giannis’s off-ball involvement
I liked seeing Giannis used as the roller in high pick-and-roll actions and positioned more frequently in the dunker spot. Those are useful ways to get him involved near the basket, and I want Miami to keep developing them.
Giannis finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Alongside Pelle’s playmaking and Davion’s downhill creation, these actions offered encouraging signs for how the offense can come together.
Next up: the Indiana Pacers and Miami's in the opening NBA Cup group game.
The Heat finally have their first win. Miami improved to 1-4 with a 129-117 victory over Atlanta, featuring a more comfortable Bam, strong supporting performances, and encouraging ways to involve Giannis. Concerns remain, especially defensively, but this was progress.
1. Bam found his rhythm and made history
Bam got back to his midrange game and looked more comfortable finding his offense. He finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, shooting 8/6 from the field and 8/9 at the line.
He also became the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder. A franchise milestone made an already productive night more memorable. Miami is still figuring out the Bam x Giannis partnership, but getting Bam into familiar scoring spots helped him find his rhythm.
2. Hardaway is becoming difficult to play
Tim Hardaway Jr. had a better offensive night, scoring 14 points on 6/10 shooting, including 2/3 from deep. The problem was on the other end, where Atlanta hunted him defensively.
Even when his shot is falling, those defensive possessions make his minutes difficult to justify. He is becoming almost unplayable defensively, and Miami needs more than scoring to justify those minutes.
3. Davion continues to impress
Davion Mitchell finished with 10 points and 10 assists, committing only two turnovers. He did a great job pushing the break and getting downhill to create opportunities.
His ability to get Miami moving and distribute the ball continues to stand out. This was another encouraging performance.
4. Wiggins and Pelle thrived
Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points, shooting 6/9 overall and 4/7 from three. I liked his mismatch hunting and saw better defensive recovery.
Pelle Larsson added 17 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. His two-man game with Giannis was encouraging, and he confidently stepped into threes while also getting downhill. Both provided important production around Miami's stars.
5. Keep building on Giannis’s off-ball involvement
I liked seeing Giannis used as the roller in high pick-and-roll actions and positioned more frequently in the dunker spot. Those are useful ways to get him involved near the basket, and I want Miami to keep developing them.
Giannis finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Alongside Pelle’s playmaking and Davion’s downhill creation, these actions offered encouraging signs for how the offense can come together.
Next up: the Indiana Pacers and Miami's in the opening NBA Cup group game.
