Miami beat Atlanta 129-117 for its first win and moved from 14th to 12th. Simone Fontecchio has been upgraded from out and is projected back for Friday's Cup game against the Pacers.
Captain Answers
Bam Adebayo had 24 points, 9 boards and 3 steals, shot 8-9 at the line and was +22 in 33 minutes. A day earlier ESPN carried his complaint that critics "make me the scapegoat." This answer came on the floor, which is where it should come from. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 24 and 18 rebounds, but he went 2-5 at the line and finished -6 in 31 minutes of a 12-point win.
Still Leaking
Miami led 34-22 and then gave up a 10-0 run that cut it to 34-32. The lead reached 18 and Atlanta never went away. Kingston Flemings scored 14 of his 23 in the fourth on 9-12 shooting. A team that wants to be taken seriously closes the door, and Miami didn't.
Second Unit Delivered
Pelle Larsson, cleared from a right ankle issue on Oct. 28, had 17 points, 8 assists and the defensive rebound that ended Atlanta's last real chance. The reserves scored 45. Tim Hardaway Jr. hit 6-10 and Bobby Portis Jr. added 11 and 9 boards.
Pacers, Then West
Indiana visits Friday, Oct. 30, in Cup play. Then Miami goes to the Lakers on Nov. 2, the Clippers on Nov. 4 and the Warriors on Nov. 5. At 1-4, Miami is one game behind the Knicks, who hold 10th at 2-3. Fontecchio's illness has eased and his projected return date is Oct. 30.
Bottom Line
Miami's current pace projects to 16-66. One road win doesn't change that. The open question is the rotation: the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang reported that Nikola Jovic is again losing minutes, and Fontecchio's return squeezes the wings further. Spoelstra has to pick a rotation and stick with it. Beat Indiana at home or the Atlanta win means nothing.
When is Simone Fontecchio expected back for the Heat?
He was upgraded from out after an illness and is projected to return Oct. 30 against the Pacers.
Have the Heat won a game this season?
Yes. They beat the Hawks 129-117 in Atlanta on Oct. 28, which moved them to 1-4.
