Preseason Post-Game Grades: Heat Beat Warriors 115, 108
By Wes Goldberg
115. 110. 108. 41. Final
The Miami Heat rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors and earn their first win of the preseason.
A-. Chris Bosh is supposed to be the focal point of the offense this season and he was just that. The team played off him, and Bosh was aggressive getting to the rim despite the presence of Andrew Bogut. He didn’t always win the matchup, but his aggressiveness helped set up teammates. Things started with Bosh, and that’s the way it will be for much of the season. <em>Stats: 7-of-16 (1-2 3FG) for 21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal in 34 minutes.</em>. C. Miami Heat. CHRIS BOSH
LUOL DENG. A-. With Erik Spoelstra opting for some three-guard lineups tonight in order to matchup with Golden State’s perimeter guys, Luol Deng saw quite a bit of action at power forward. I don’t suspect the Heat will do this as often as they did during the last four years, but Deng is physical enough and has the defensive skills to do it. Deng was on fire from the field tonight, missing just three of his 11 attempts and converting on three-of-four three-pointers. When he gets hot, it will take Miami to another level this season. <em>Stats: 8-of-11 (3-4 3FG) for 19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal in 26 minutes </em>. SF. Miami Heat
A. After struggling in the last three preseason games, Williams redeemed himself with a stellar performance to help give Miami its first preseason victory. Williams drained shot after shot, making all five of his three-pointers in the flow of the offense. Williams saw 32 minutes tonight, second-highest on the team. Even though he was almost written off by media and fans, Williams may have just locked down a spot on the 15-man roster and could figure into the regular power rotation as the first power forward off the bench and filling the Shane Battier role. <em>Stats: 7-of-9 (5-5 3FG) for 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal in 32 minutes.</em>. F. Miami Heat. SHAWNE WILLIAMS
Point Guard Position Battle Update
Norris Cole got the start once again, with Mario Chalmers (returning from a hip injury) coming in as the sixth man for the second time this preseason. Shabazz Napier saw his time at the end of the game, per usual during this preseason.
While Cole didn’t play nearly as well as Chalmers or Napier on offense (only five points on two-of-five shooting) it says something that Stephen Curry only had seven points tonight. Cole didn’t defend him the entire game, but he started on him and set the tone. As I mentioned on the podcast, that was Cole’s main job this game.
Meanwhile, Chalmers saw his minutes at the 2-guard spot. I still believe the Heat will make him the sixth man, but Chris seems to think the Heat are showcasing Cole for a trade. Rio was three-for-three and made both of his three-pointers for 13 points but picked up five fouls. Eric Reid and Tony Florentino think Chalmers will be the starting point guard as well as the first shooting guard behind Dwyane Wade. I don’t think that will happen.
Napier, once again, helped spur a late rally. This time, the Heat won. Napier scored on four-of-10 shots, made just one of his five three-point attempts and was five-for-six from the line for 14 points. He also added two assists. Napier helped take the momentum and the lead for the Heat on an assist to Chalmers for a three-pointer that put the Heat up 103-102 with 5:16 left, then made a three of his own on the next possession to put the Heat up by four. His late-game tendencies have been critical and even though every game won’t be great for him, it seems like he’s earned a spot in the rotation. Spoelstra played the combination of him and Chalmers tonight, which could very well be the second unit back court.