NBA preseason roundup: Giannis, Duren and seven Wednesday finals

Wednesday’s seven NBA preseason games gave coaches several different versions of a productive night: established stars working through new combinations, reserves taking over late, and younger players getting extended minutes while regulars sat. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s passing helped Miami score 144 points. Jalen Duren needed only 15 minutes for 24 in Detroit’s win. San Antonio recovered from a shaky start in its first look at a three-guard starting group.

The results belong to October 14’s exhibition schedule. The workloads varied considerably, from extended work for Boston’s regulars to a Milwaukee lineup missing several regulars. That matters when comparing the margins: a comfortable finish can reveal useful combinations without settling how they will hold up in a regular-season game.

Miami’s supporting scorers find room

Antetokounmpo finished one assist short of a triple-double in the Heat’s 144-128 win over Brooklyn, recording 20 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and three blocks. Miami had nine double-figure scorers and a 62-38 advantage in paint points. That balance allowed the Heat to keep moving away after Brooklyn briefly took the third-quarter lead.

Ryan Conwell’s three third-quarter 3-pointers helped stretch the Nets’ defense, while Andrew Wiggins scored 19. For Brooklyn, Michael Porter Jr.’s 27 points and Mikel Brown Jr.’s 15-point preseason debut supplied offense, but Miami’s 55 made field goals left too much ground to recover.

Duren finishes Detroit’s response

Minnesota started with 38 first-quarter points, then Detroit won each remaining period in a 128-106 Pistons victory. Duren made eight of nine shots and all eight free throws for his 24 points. The Pistons finished with 64 paint points, more than twice Minnesota’s 30.

Cade Cunningham’s nine assists and Duncan Robinson’s four 3-pointers gave that interior scoring outside support. Anthony Edwards scored 20 for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves’ 37 made free throws could not compensate for shooting below 40 percent from the field. Detroit turned a nine-point deficit after one quarter into a seven-point halftime lead.

San Antonio tests its guard combinations

De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper started together for the first time in the Spurs’ 123-103 win over Phoenix. San Antonio scored 38 in the second quarter to take control, with Victor Wembanyama contributing 19 points and four blocks.

Castle’s 18 points came on only five field-goal attempts because he made 14 of 15 free throws. Carter Bryant added four 3-pointers off the bench. The Suns scored 64 points in the paint, but their seven made 3s and 12 made free throws left them unable to match the Spurs in those areas.

Bench offense changes Boston’s finish

Charlotte was still within eight in the fourth quarter before Luka Garza’s long-range shooting and a steal that led to a dunk helped Boston finish a 114-93 victory. Garza scored 14 points, Tatum had 19 with eight rebounds and six assists, and Payton Pritchard handed out 11 assists.

The Hornets made five more 3-pointers than Boston but committed 30 turnovers. The Celtics’ 56-20 paint scoring edge gave them another route to points on a night their own 3-point shooting stayed below 30 percent.

Chicago and the Clippers spread the offense

Matas Buzelis hit five 3-pointers in the Bulls’ 125-104 win over Milwaukee. Chicago made 20 threes overall and built a 62-39 halftime lead. Milwaukee’s 30 turnovers complicated a night intended to give younger options more work; Kam Jones scored 23 for the Bucks.

The Clippers beat Denver 122-110 with six players in double figures, led by Rui Hachimura’s 16. Their 38-point third quarter opened a 15-point lead. Darius Garland had seven assists, while Denver limited Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to 17 minutes apiece. Those different rotations helped shape the final scoring distribution.

Dallas keeps its result open until the final shot

The Mavericks’ 101-97 loss to New Orleans supplied the closest finish of the seven. Dallas scored 34 in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie after two late Pelicans free-throw misses. Seth Lundy’s final attempted 3 did not fall.

John Poulakidas and Tobi Lawal scored 16 apiece for Dallas. Jeremiah Fears had 16 points and five assists for New Orleans. With Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving absent, the late possessions gave Dallas’ reserves a close-game test after three quarters spent mostly chasing.

Sources

ESPN final game record, full box score and play-by-play · ESPN final game record, full box score and play-by-play · ESPN: full game box score and play-by-play · ESPN: Pelicans–Mavericks final, box score and play-by-play · ESPN final game record, full box score and play-by-play · ESPN: full game box score and play-by-play · ESPN: full game box score and play-by-play