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October 9, 2026 at 5:48 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Heat run past Pelicans 128-118 as Giannis makes short work of a preseason night

Miami scored 73 in the first half, forced 21 turnovers and turned them into 30 fast-break points. Giannis Antetokounmpo needed less than 18 minutes to score 18.

Heat vs. Pelicans game report image
Heat vs. Pelicans game report image

The Heat beat the Pelicans 128-118 at home on Thursday night, a preseason game with the usual preseason stakes. Nobody was handing out anything in the standings, but minutes and the last few roster spots were being decided. It was the second preseason outing of the fall for Miami, and the evening was more about who looked like they belonged in the rotation than about the final score.

Giannis Antetokounmpo made the most of a short shift. He played 17 minutes and 52 seconds and finished with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists, shooting better than 61 percent from the floor. A good share of that came from a mid-range jumper that looks more dependable than it used to. He still gets to the rim when he wants to, but the jumper gives defenses one more thing to worry about. He did all of this in what amounted to a little over a half of work.

The game was settled by how Miami defended and how fast it moved afterward. The Heat forced 21 turnovers and turned them into 30 fast-break points, and they had 73 on the board by halftime. New Orleans never really solved it. Picture Antetokounmpo running the floor with shooters spread wide around him, and you see why this is likely to cause opponents trouble well beyond October.

The Heat also have a question about Nikola Jovic. He was among the league's weaker shooters last season, and he is trying to earn a place in the rotation. His work with the Serbian national team this summer gave the club reason to be encouraged. Preseason is where that has to start showing up, and there are only so many of these games to make the case.

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