The Miami Heat won again last night, improving to 3-0 this preseason. They took down the San Antonio Spurs in a fairly close game, grinding out a 109-105 victory.
This game looked a lot different from the first two Miami played, though. Instead of rolling with their starters for a while, they played almost entirely young players.
Only eight players touched the floor tonight for the Miami Heat. Players such as Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and Bam Adebayo all took the night off.
What are some key takeaways from last night’s game? How were the Miami Heat able to win without the majority of their team actually playing?
Takeaways from the Miami Heat preseason game vs. the San Antonio Spurs: Tyler Herro, Tyler Herro, Tyler Herro
This has been the most talked-about topic throughout the entire preseason thus far. Tyler Herro has been one of the most impressive players in the entire league.
He ended up playing over 33 minutes against the Spurs. Herro dropped 26 points, two rebounds, and three assists while shooting 12-25 from the field.
For the entire game, it just seemed as though Herro was playing a different game than anyone else. He was killing San Antonio from the mid-range and no one was able to keep up with him.
Herro has shown no signs of slowing down so far, and that bodes very well for the Miami Heat. If he can carry this level of play into the regular season, he’ll help make Miami’s bench one of the best in the entire league.
Takeaways from the Miami Heat preseason game vs. the San Antonio Spurs: Max Strus and Micah Potter
Max Strus is back
After Miami’s previous game vs. the Rockets, one of the takeaways was that Max Strus struggled mightily. However, after last night’s performance, Strus is very much back on track.
Strus had an absolutely incredible game in San Antonio last night. He dropped a game-high 28 points along with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
It just seemed like he could do no wrong last night. His shot was on fire and that’s exactly what the Miami Heat are going to need from him this season.
Just like Duncan Robinson is the shooter in the starting lineup, Strus will have to play that same role off the bench. Last night was a great step in the right direction after a rough game vs. Houston.
Micah Potter could have a real role
The Miami Heat have both of their two-way spots filled, but Micah Potter is making a solid case to earn a roster spot. He put up a great performance last night vs. the Spurs.
In 36:45, Potter put up 13 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists. He played with great hustle and intensity that the Miami Heat love from their players.
He even managed to make a three, and if he can do that consistently, his floor spacing would help immensely. Overall, though, his rebounding and paint presence would be a decent option at the end of the bench.
The only issue with bringing Potter onto the team is that there is no open two-way spot for him. Miami would have to sign him to a standard contract.
Takeaways from the Miami Heat preseason game vs. the San Antonio Spurs: Duncan Robinson
Duncan Robinson’s passing
Duncan Robinson has always been one thing and one thing only – an elite shooter. However, one surprising development has been his ability to pass the ball.
He only ended up recording four assists last night, but he was always making great passes. Whenever there was an opportunity to make a good pass he found it.
Whether this was making an extra pass to the corner to Max Strus or finding a cutter, Robinson was doing it all. This would give the Miami Heat a whole new option on offense.
Robinson was even cutting himself and kicking the ball out effectively. He just looked super impressive in the passing department overall last night.
Duncan Robinson isn’t a shot creator
This may sound super obvious, but Duncan Robinson just isn’t a shot creator. He needs others to set shots up for him to be truly effective.
Robinson’s role has always been to come off screens and pin downs and shoot the ball. Last night, he was forced to create for himself a bit with most of the regular starters resting.
He ended up shooting 0-5 from three and scoring zero points on the night. It just wasn’t the same with no one there to set up shots for him.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as he will always have others to help set him up, but it is a noteworthy observation. Who knows, though, maybe he’ll improve in this regard moving forward.