Giannis Antetokounmpo said the new-look Miami Heat must trust each other more after an opening night 131-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Speaking after the game, Antetokounmpo stressed that effort has to improve and that the team has to keep fighting when things don't go its way. "We got to trust each other. When things don't go our way, we got to dig in. We didn't do that tonight," Antetokounmpo said. "It starts with me. My effort has to be better. I set the tone."
The Timberwolves' new duo of Anthony Edwards and La Melo Ball led the way from beyond the arc. Edwards finished with 45 points on 9-of-17 shooting from 3, while Ball added 21 on 5-of-13 from deep. Minnesota hit 21 3-pointers as a team. Antetokounmpo said the Heat grew discouraged when Edwards made shots, which made the game easier for Minnesota.
Antetokounmpo scored 35 points in his Miami debut and got to the free throw line 14 times, but he was not satisfied. The Heat starting group had only two preseason games together because Bam Adebayo was limited by a minor groin injury. Miami shot just 24% from 3-point range and was outrebounded 52-34. Adebayo called the loss a "steppingstone" and said the team must stay locked in on offense when fatigued.
Multiple players said the Heat were not vocal enough on the floor. The roster combines new veterans Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson and Bobby Portis with a core of Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell. Despite the result, Heat fans remained loud and excited throughout the night. Miami hosts the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing