Staff Reporter Su Jiawei / Comprehensive Report
The Miami Heat opened their preseason schedule on Tuesday (U.S. time), and newly acquired superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo made his debut in a Heat uniform, posting a well-rounded stat line of 9 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds on 3-of-3 shooting in just 14 minutes of action. The Heat cruised to a 129-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Kawhi Leonard, who returned to the Raptors this offseason, did not play in the game.
Antetokounmpo was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent his entire career, to the Heat this summer, joining forces with Bam Adebayo and others. He will look to make a new impact under head coach Erik Spoelstra’s system in the upcoming season.
In his first game with the Heat, Antetokounmpo quickly showed his adaptability, scoring 5 points and dishing out 4 assists in the first seven minutes as Miami jumped out to a 41-23 first-quarter lead. He finished the game with 9 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds on 3-of-3 field goals and 3-of-4 free throws. Though his scoring didn’t reach double figures, his offensive efficiency and playmaking were impressive.
The Heat did not lean heavily on their starters, as Spoelstra used 19 different players to test various lineups. Andrew Wiggins scored 12 points, Bam Adebayo added 10, and Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench to hit all three of his 3-point attempts, leading the team with 14 points. Seven Heat players scored in double figures as they won by 24 points.
On the other side, the Raptors also made a major offseason move by bringing back Kawhi Leonard, who led them to the 2019 NBA championship. However, as he is still ramping up, Leonard did not suit up for this preseason contest. Fans hoping to see Antetokounmpo and Leonard face off in their new jerseys will have to wait. The Heat and Raptors will meet again in January 2027.