Postgame grades: Miami Heat notch impressive victory in San Antonio

Oct 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat power forward Derrick Williams (22) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat power forward Derrick Williams (22) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

On the first night of a back-to-back, the Miami Heat led from start to finish in their win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Final: Miami Heat 108  San Antonio Spurs 100

Coming off the bench, Tyler Johnson led all scorers with 17 points as the Miami Heat cruised to 108-100  victory over the San Antonio Spurs.  Johnson hit 4-of-4 from three-point range whilst also adding five assists and four rebounds in just 21 minutes. James Johnson also impressed off the bench, contributing 15 points in 18 minutes. The Heat scored 88 points through the first three quarters, before taking the foot off the pedal as there game petered out.

Four of the five Heat starters scored in double figures, with Dion Waiters enjoying his first start for the Heat with 15 points and four assists. Replacing Wayne Ellington in the starting lineup, Waiters continued his impressive preseason performances. Justise Winslow also impressed with 15 points and five rebounds. Waiters and Winslow each shot 2-3 from downtown, and were both very aggressive throughout the game.

The Heat shot 48.3 percent from the field and led by as many as 20 points in the last quarter, in what was a particularly dominant display. The Spurs played without all-star LaMarcus Aldridge and looked particularly bothered by the Heat’s impressive hounding defence. One such example was reserve Briante Weber, who notched four steals in his 13 minutes of court time.

Miami has little time for rest, playing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night in Louisville.