Staff Reporter Su Jia-wei / Combined Report
The Miami Heat opened their preseason schedule on Monday (local time), and newly acquired superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo made his debut in a Heat uniform. Playing just 14 minutes, he put up a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, finishing with 9 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds, leading Miami to a 129-105 rout of the Toronto Raptors. Toronto's returning star Kawhi Leonard did not play in the game.
Antetokounmpo was traded this offseason from the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent his entire career, to join forces with Bam Adebayo and others in Miami. Under head coach Erik Spoelstra's system, he aims to make a new breakthrough in the upcoming season.
In his first game representing the Heat, Antetokounmpo quickly displayed his adaptability. In the first seven minutes, he scored 5 points and dished out 4 assists, helping Miami jump out to a 41-23 lead in the opening quarter. He ultimately logged only 14 minutes, making all three of his field goals and 3 of 4 free throws, totaling 9 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. While his scoring didn't reach double figures, his offensive efficiency and playmaking were impressive.
The Heat did not give their starters heavy minutes, as Spoelstra used 19 different players to evaluate various lineups. Andrew Wiggins scored 12 points, Bam Adebayo added 10, and Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench to sink all three of his three-point attempts, leading the team with 14 points. Seven Heat players scored in double figures as Miami cruised to a 24-point victory.
On the other side, the Raptors also made a major offseason move by bringing back Kawhi Leonard, who led the team to the 2019 NBA championship. However, he sat out this preseason game as he continues to ramp up his conditioning, meaning fans will have to wait to see Antetokounmpo and Leonard face off in their new jerseys. The next meeting between the Heat and Raptors is scheduled for January 2027.
