The Miami Heat broke the franchise record for most points in a half on route to their dominant first win of the 2025-26 season.
(Photo via Miami Heat/X)

First win of the 2025-26 season. Franchise record for most points scored in a half (86). Eight players score in double-digits. 76 bench points…

All is true following the Miami Heat’s dominant 146-114 win on Friday night, running Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies off their home floor. The Heat respond from coming up just short in their season opener to earn the bounce back victory and even up their regular season record at 1-1.

This game had Miami’s imprints all over it from the start. Coach Erik Spoelstra’s revamped fast paced offense had the Heat jump out to an early double-digit lead, and the squad never looked back. It began with Bam Adebayo’s 18-point first quarter explosion, where the All-Star big man nailed 4 out of 5 attempts from 3-point range in the process.

The captain would go on to finish with a team-high 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a +25 on the floor.

Uncoincidentally, Adebayo looked much more comfortable on offense with Kel’el Ware’s addition back into the starting lineup. Ware was given the starting nod in favor of Nikola Jovic in this matchup, which allowed Adebayo to slide back to the power forward position once again.

The Heat looked like a much better team on both ends with Kel’el Ware getting extended minutes.

Ware made a huge case for himself to remain in that first unit, as well. The talented 7-footer added 19 points and 8 boards on the night. His size and paint presence was felt all throughout the game.

Bam Adebayo-Kel’el Ware starting frontcourt pairing tonight:

Bam: Ware:
24 PTS 19 PTS
5 REBS 8 REBS
4 ASTS 1 BLK
4/8 3PM 8/12 FG
+25 +15

This duo has the potential to be ELITE. pic.twitter.com/WnM2oIxa5H

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) October 25, 2025

But the scoring contributions don’t stop there. The now trending “KD trade package” including Ware, Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. all showed out. Despite Jovic’s demotion to the bench, the versatile forward still led the second unit with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists himself.

Jaquez made his mark with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. The third-year forward has looked like his rookie year self again to open the new season, with his footwork, playmaking and craftiness all adding a huge spark offensively.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Heat newcomer Simone Fontecchio came out on a heater during the second quarter. The Italian sharpshooter nailed 4/4 attempts from 3-point range, to go along with 14 points and 5/5 shooting overall in the period. He and Adebayo combined for 8/9 buckets from deep alone in the game’s first 16+ minutes.

The Heat offense looked fast, lethal and unstoppable, as they never took their foot off the gas.

Miami finished the night going a scorching 54% from the field and 48% from deep as a team. They won the rebounding battle 57-41, including 17 offensive rebounds.

They will now look to carry this impressive win into a tough matchup against the New York Knicks for their home opener on Sunday.

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