Miami beat Brooklyn 144-128 in its fourth preseason game, with Giannis Antetokounmpo going for 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on 7-of-8 shooting in just 17 minutes. Wiggins, Thompson and Mitchell were all activated after missing time, while Bam Adebayo's groin kept him out of this one too.
Regulars Return
Miami beat Brooklyn 144-128 in its fourth preseason game, and the real story was who got back on the floor. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and Davion Mitchell were all cleared to play Oct. 14 after carrying tags into the week. Bam Adebayo was not among them, his groin issue kept him out, with Miami targeting an Oct. 16 return.
Wire To Wire
The lead never really left Miami's hands. Coming off three days of rest, the Heat opened an 8-0 run in the first quarter, stretched the margin to 13 points and carried a 69-66 edge into the half. Brooklyn's biggest cushion all night was a single point, and only two lead changes and one tie interrupted Miami's control.
Giannis Carries
Antetokounmpo needed only 17 minutes for 18 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on 7-of-8 shooting, posting a team-best plus-9. Wiggins added 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Bobby Portis Jr. gave the bench its best answer: 3-of-5 shooting with two threes for 8 points, finishing plus-6 in 15 minutes.
Closing Group
Erik Spoelstra closed with Wiggins, Mitchell, Thompson, Nick Richards and Simone Fontecchio, and that unit held the line to the buzzer. Mitchell finished with 6 points and 4 assists but was the outlier, a team-worst minus-6 in 17 minutes. Richards added 7 points and 4 rebounds in 9 minutes but also finished in the red, minus-3.
What's Next
Miami gets two days before the exhibition finale at Orlando on Oct. 16, then a true test: the regular-season opener Oct. 21 at home against Minnesota on ESPN. Brooklyn, playing with only a day between games and closing out back-to-back road dates, doesn't play again for a week. The record that matters still reads 0-0.
Did Bam Adebayo play against the Nets?
No. A groin issue kept Adebayo sidelined, with Miami targeting an Oct. 16 return.
When does the Heat's real season start?
Miami closes the preseason at Orlando on Oct. 16, then opens the regular season at home against Minnesota on Oct. 21.
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