Heat Answer Toronto's Punch, Pull Away For 24

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 3

Miami built a 21-point first-half lead, watched Toronto cut it to 12 points early in the third, then answered with an 8-0 run that carried into the fourth and restored a 19-point cushion. The bench produced 89 of Miami's 129 points in a preseason win that leaves the record at 0-0.

Lead, Then A Scare

Miami led by 18 after one quarter and pushed that to 21 points by halftime on a trio of scoring runs. Toronto answered with an 8-0 run early in the third that trimmed the margin to 12. The Heat shut it down immediately, scoring the next eight points themselves to push the lead back to 19 heading into the fourth.

Reserves Close It Out

The lineup that finished the game was all reserves: Bez Mbeng, Lester Quinones, Myron Gardner, Ryan Conwell and Vladislav Goldin, with Tre Donaldson also on the floor in the final minutes. Donaldson lost the ball for a turnover with 46 seconds left and Jamal Shead stole it, but Gardner closed the scoring with a driving finger-roll layup for the final 129-105.

Plus-Minus Leaders

Three reserves shared the best plus-minus mark: Simone Fontecchio, Bobby Portis Jr. and Tim Hardaway Jr. all finished plus-16 in just 11 minutes apiece. Pelle Larsson matched that plus-16 over the same stretch, hitting 3-for-3 from the field and 7-for-7 at the line with two steals, the clearest A-grade outing of the night.

Starters Fall Short

Bam Adebayo did not match that pace: 10 points on 2-for-7 shooting, including 1-for-4 from three, in 13 minutes, good for only a plus-5. Andrew Wiggins shot it better, 4-for-6 overall and 4-for-6 from deep for 12 points, but logged the same plus-5. The worst mark belonged to Nick Richards, minus-7 in just 10 minutes.

Record Stays 0-0

None of it changes the standings; Miami is still 0-0 with the regular season not yet underway. The next tune-up comes October 8 against New Orleans, five days away, before the regular season opens October 21 against Minnesota.

Did the Heat starters play well against the Raptors?

Not especially. Bam Adebayo shot 2-for-7 with a plus-5, and Miami's bench outscored its starters 89 to 34.

When do the Heat play again after beating Toronto?

Miami's next preseason game is October 8 against New Orleans, with the regular season opening October 21 against Minnesota.