By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat responded with a big bounce-back victory over the Golden State Warriors, 114-98.
Nikola Jovic scored a team-high 20 points with six rebounds and four assists.
Bam Adebayo added 19 points with nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds. The Heat’s young core played outstanding. The kids are going to be all right after the Jimmy Butler era.
“We got a lot of guys in here who battle and want to win,” Jaquez said. “The past couple of games haven’t gone our way, but no matter, we keep battling, and when that happens, we come out with wins.”
If coach Erik Spoelstra gives more playing time to Jovic, Ware, and Jaquez, it’s a sign of great things to come. This is the core that came from the draft, and with maximum minutes, they could be a major asset to the team.
“I’m responsible for helping this team look better,” Jovic said. “Making the right plays, moving the ball, and I think that’s good.”
Jovic is having a big turnaround season. At one point, he was not in the lineup because of his poor play and injuries, but Spoelstra challenged him, and Jovic learned from his experiences. He’s still learning, growing, and maturing as a player.
The Heat had six players in double figures. After losing to the Sacramento Kings in double overtime 24 hours before the game against the Warriors, fatigue was a concern that many thought would occur.
But the Heat responded with tenacity and phenomenal teamwork.
“Everybody can score, especially from this first unit,” Jovic said. “It’s easy to play with them as long as we put the ball in the right position at the right time.”
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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