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The Biscayne Brief · Week ahead

Minnesota Looms Twice Before The Real Opener

Pelicans and Timberwolves test Miami's bench before Minnesota returns for the actual opener.

89Bench points in Saturday's rout
By the Heat Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 4

Miami's preseason continues at home against New Orleans on Oct. 8 and Minnesota on Oct. 10, with the record still 0-0 after Saturday's 129-105 win at Toronto. Keshad Johnson and Dru Smith stay out of both games, leaving the same reserve group that outscored the Raptors' bench to carry minutes again.

89: Bench points in Saturday's rout

Two Tune-Ups

The Heat host the Pelicans on Oct. 8 and the Timberwolves on Oct. 10, both at Kaseya Center. The bar is Saturday's 129-105 win at Toronto, built on reserve scoring rather than starter dominance.

Minnesota Twice

The Oct. 10 meeting with the Timberwolves is a preview. Minnesota comes back to Kaseya Center on Oct. 21 for the night the regular season actually starts, meaning Miami sees the same opponent twice in eleven days.

Who's Out

Keshad Johnson's hamstring strain keeps him out, estimated return Oct. 26, ruling him out of both games this week. Dru Smith's right calf keeps him questionable, with an Oct. 16 target that still puts the Pelicans and Timberwolves games out of reach.

Reserves Carried It

Tim Hardaway Jr. led with 14 points off the bench, Pelle Larsson added 13, and Miami's reserves outscored its own starters 89-34 in the rout. Andrew Wiggins was the only starter to crack double figures, going 4-for-6 from three for 12 points.

Starters Owe Better

Bam Adebayo managed 10 points on 2-for-7 shooting in 13 minutes, a quiet night for the man anchoring this frontcourt. Two preseason games this week won't settle anything, but the starters have to answer for getting outplayed by their own bench.

Who is out for the Heat this week?

Keshad Johnson (hamstring strain) and Dru Smith (right calf) are both sidelined for the Pelicans and Timberwolves games. Johnson's return is targeted for Oct. 26 and Smith's for Oct. 16.

When do the Heat play the Timberwolves again after this week?

Minnesota returns to Kaseya Center on Oct. 21, the night Miami opens the regular season. The two teams meet first in preseason on Oct. 10.

By the Heat Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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