Fontecchio's Efficiency Hides In Plain Sight

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Monday, October 5

Miami is 1-0 in exhibition play after beating Toronto 129-105 Saturday, with Nikola Jovic posting 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the win. The regular-season record stays 0-0, with four more tune-ups before the calendar turns real on October 21.

Heat Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Bench Signal

Over his last 10 games last season, Simone Fontecchio shot 70.8 percent true shooting, well above his season mark. The sample is small, but it points to a reserve capable of elite efficiency as camp moves forward with Giannis Antetokounmpo now in the mix for the first time.

What's Ahead

Miami hosts New Orleans Thursday, then Minnesota on October 10, Brooklyn on October 14 and travels to Orlando on October 16. Four preseason games stand between this roster and the regular season, which begins October 21 against Minnesota.

Health Watch

Keshad Johnson is out with a leg injury, targeting an October 26 return that would put him into the season already underway. Dru Smith is day-to-day with a right calf issue, aiming for October 16.

Bottom Line

One preseason win does not settle anything, but Jovic's all-around line and Fontecchio's efficiency are markers worth tracking before games count. The real question is whether Spoelstra's rotation holds once Johnson and Smith return healthy. The record stays 0-0 until October 21.

When does the Miami Heat regular season start?

Miami's regular season begins October 21 versus Minnesota. The preseason record of 1-0 does not count toward it.

Is Keshad Johnson playing for the Heat right now?

No, Johnson is out with a leg injury and is targeting an October 26 return.