![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-09-at-11.57.43-AM-1024x643.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of the Miami Heat \/\/ Twitter)<\/p>\n(Photo courtesy of the Miami Heat \/\/ Twitter)<\/p>\n
The Miami Heat are slowly, but surely getting ramped up as the Oct. 21 season opener approaches. They concluded their second preseason game<\/a> on Thursday \u2014 a 128-118 win over the Pelicans \u2014 with the starters playing in just the first half.<\/p>\n Who were a few winners and losers? Let\u2019s examine!<\/p>\n Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/p>\n Skinny: I didn\u2019t include Antetokounmpo in the preseason opener because it felt fairly obvious. I couldn\u2019t omit him for two straight games. Antetokounmpo tallied a game-high 18 points with four rebounds, four assists and one steal in 18 minutes. He shot 8-of-13 from the floor, with all of his makes coming in the paint. Per status quo, Antetokounmpo dominated in transition and is averaging 13.5 points on 67.6 percent true shooting. He\u2019s been everything as advertised \u2014 and then some.<\/p>\n Loser: Ryan Conwell<\/p>\n Skinny: Conwell, the Heat\u2019s No. 37 overall draft choice, still hasn\u2019t gotten off the ground quite yet. He missed all four of his attempts in Thursday\u2019s win and is 0-for-6 so far in preseason. He\u2019s had difficulty not only finding where he wants to get off his shot, but his balance when he does. This is not a long-term worry, as I expect him to adjust as time passes.<\/p>\n Winner: Davion Mitchell<\/p>\n Skinny: Mitchell has been outstanding this preseason \u2014 especially on Thursday. He finished with nine points and seven assists \u2014 to just one turnover \u2014 in 20 minutes. He is pushing the rock at every opportunity, spearheading the Heat\u2019s transition attack. He\u2019s also been a bulldog at the point-of-attack. It may look chaotic, but Mitchell\u2019s been in full control on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n Loser: Vlad Goldin<\/p>\n Skinny: It\u2019s difficult to be a \u201closer\u201d in games you don\u2019t play \u2014 but that\u2019s part of the reason why Goldin is. This was a big preseason for him to reassure why he\u2019s a two-way player. He has just six points and one rebound to his name through two games and was a DNP-CD on Thursday.<\/p>\n Winner: Myron Gardner<\/p>\n Skinny: What allowed Gardner to make the roster last season was his energy in defense. That\u2019s exactly what he\u2019s shown so far this preseason, scoring 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep with four rebounds, four assists and three steals against New Orleans. You have to be aware<\/a> of Gardner at all times. Beyond that, you have to respect his shooting, which could be a real asset if he gets any run in the rotation.<\/p>\n Winner: Tre Donaldson<\/p>\n Skinny: The Heat have an intriguing point guard in the pipeline, and his name is Tre Donaldson. The 22-year-old rookie signed<\/a> with Miami at the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft, and has been nothing but impressive since. Through two preseason games, Donaldson has averaged 9.0 points and 2.5 assists on 46.2\/33.3\/66.7 shooting splits. He\u2019s not fazed by ball pressure, makes quick reads and defends at a respectable level. I\u2019m a complete buyer in his long-term outcome.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n To check out our other content, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter\/X\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Subscribe to our YouTube channel\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t\t\t