Miami Heat: 3 Takeaways from their first preseason game against Pelicans

The Miami Heat tipped off their 2020-21 season on Monday night as they played their first preseason game against New Orleans. Here are a few takeaways.

The Miami Heat are right back at it! After what feels like the shortest layoff ever in anything, the Miami Heat are once again preparing to start their journey towards NBA glory and another chance at the hardware.

The first task of the year was to be Monday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. They would be without Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, and Andre Iguodala. They would also lose the game.

It’s the preseason, so you won’t stress that too much but you will file this one away for future comparative studies if need be. With that out of the way though, here are my three takeaways from the first preseason contest.

1. On-Ball Tyler Herro Looks Really Good

Tyler Herro as the main ball handler was a thing on Monday night. He looked really good too, as he had at times it the bubble last season.

He appears to be all tuned in to your James Harden fantasies, as he played like it on Monday. That’s just the first game of many and a preseason game at that, so we won’t make him untradable just yet, he did play well though.

He hit jumpers and drove to the cup for pretty finishes, he was on. That’s just the first takeaway.

The Miami Heat had their first preseason contest of the year on Monday. Here are my takeaways.

2. The Miami Heat Still Need To Get Tougher In The Middle

What got the Miami Heat beat in the NBA Finals, above all else outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, was their size in the middle and in the paint. This was something that showed up again to start this season.

Not only were they handled when it came to second-chance points right at the rim, but their rim was driven on way too easily, and they were crushed on the boards. New Orleans beat them on the boards by a tally of 51-34.

The Miami Heat need to get more help, get tougher, or figure it out some other way. That’s the second takeaway.

3. Max Strus Is Ahead In The Race For The Last Two-Way Contract

This seems like something to keep an eye on and up to date with, especially with the Miami Heat not fielding a G-League team. That means that both guys will spend the entire season with the big club.

Out of the guys who are contending for that final spot, with the first presumably and rightfully belonging to Gabe Vincent, Max Strus set himself apart on Monday. He has the shooting touch to add to what this team does well right now.

This was, again, just the first preseason game. There is a long way to go, but this was a good first look.

We can’t wait to see the entire team out there for their first run together.