Giannis and Miami take control after halftime
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 20 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists as the Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets 144–128 at Kaseya Center on October 14, with the game taking place on October 15 in Philippine time. Miami turned a three-point halftime lead into a comfortable preseason victory behind a 43-point third quarter.
Antetokounmpo played 23 minutes and 41 seconds, shooting 8-for-10 from the field and adding three blocks. Both of his missed shots were three-point attempts. He went 4-for-9 at the free-throw line, the clearest blemish on an otherwise productive offensive performance.
Brooklyn remained close through the opening half. Miami led 35–29 after the first quarter, but the Nets scored 37 in the second to trim the margin to 69–66. The Heat then outscored Brooklyn 43–37 in the third and 32–25 in the fourth, maintaining their advantage as both teams used their benches.
Andrew Wiggins added 19 points and six rebounds for Miami. Davion Mitchell supplied 13 points and five assists, while Klay Thompson scored 12. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the reserves with 14 points, Ryan Conwell had 13, Bobby Portis added 12 and Simone Fontecchio finished with 11. Miami's bench contributed 69 points.
Michael Porter Jr. paced Brooklyn with 27 points, making four of eight three-point attempts. Egor Demin scored 17, while Julius Randle, Moritz Wagner and Mikel Brown each finished with 15. Randle also contributed six rebounds and five assists. Wagner made all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
The Heat shot 58.5 percent overall, compared with Brooklyn's 43.8 percent. Miami's advantage was particularly clear near the basket and in transition, where it finished with a 62–38 edge in paint scoring and a 20–6 advantage in fast-break points. Brooklyn made two more three-pointers and eight more free throws, but those gains could not overcome Miami's efficiency inside.