Giannis Antetokounmpo introduced himself to the Heat fans with 35 points in his first official appearance with his new team, but the season opener didn’t go the way the Florida team would have liked.
The Timberwolves prevailed 131-106, in a game in which the Greek superstar tried to keep Miami in the game, especially in the first half, when he scored 21 of his 35 points. He finished the game with 13-of-19 shooting, 9-of-14 from the free-throw line, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in 30 minutes.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The big problem for the Heat was their perimeter defense and the huge disparity in three-point shooting. Minnesota scored 63 points from beyond the 7.25-meter line, while Miami managed only 24, on 8-of-33 attempts. At the same time, the Timberwolves dominated the boards 52-34. Bam Adebayo had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, while Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell each added 11 points and Klay Thompson had 10.
The game began to slip away from Miami during a six-minute stretch that began at the end of the second quarter and continued into the third. Minnesota went on a 23-7 run and turned its slim lead into a 78-61 advantage. The Heat closed the gap to eight points again, but the home team went on another 45-23 run, while Miami missed 11 of the 12 three-pointers they attempted during that stretch. Anthony Edwards was unstoppable with 45 points, 10 rebounds, and nine three-pointers, while LaMelo Ball added 21 points in his debut with Minnesota.
For the Heat, this first glimpse showed just how important Antetokounmpo can be offensively right away, but also how much work the team still needs to do to find balance around him. Miami suffered its third consecutive season-opener loss and now turns its attention to its first home game, against the Detroit Pistons.
See the game stats HERE.
Tonight’s NBA
Results Orlando Magic–Atlanta Hawks 125–132
Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks 128-116
Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets 103-110
Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 106-131
Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls 135-92
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz 123-103
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers 120-123
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks 128-110
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors 127-105
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns 124-83
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings 121-96
*Photo source: AP
