Giannis, new faces headline six-game preseason slate
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the new-player story as preseason action continued Thursday, October 8.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
- Luka Doncic: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
- Luka Garza: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists
2 min read How this story was written
Miami Heat 128, New Orleans Pelicans 118
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the night’s most consequential new-team producer, posting 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists as Miami won 128-118. Keel Impact is our estimated plus-minus per 100 possessions: about +2 is a good starter, +5 is All-Star level and zero is average. Antetokounmpo’s 5.5 Impact last season makes his move to Miami especially notable.
Preseason results do not count and say little, but the lines identify players worth following. Our outlook has the Heat at 45 wins, a 1.8 net rating and fifth in the East; the Pelicans at 33 wins, -3.5 and 12th in the West. Jordan Poole scored 14 for New Orleans after a -2.2 Impact last season. The regular season begins Tuesday, October 20.
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Boston Celtics 124, Cleveland Cavaliers 113
Boston won 124-113 behind Luka Garza’s 22 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists. Garza posted a 1.5 Impact last season, while new Celtic Devin Carter added 17 points after a -0.9 Impact in Sacramento.
Our outlook has Boston at 53 wins, a 5.1 net rating and second in the East; Cleveland at 50 wins, 4.2 and third. Jaylon Tyson led the Cavaliers with 14 points and had a 1.5 Impact last season.
PreseasonFinal
Brooklyn Nets 114, Philadelphia 76ers 108
Brooklyn beat Philadelphia 114-108, with new Net Julius Randle recording 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. His 1.5 Impact last season gives Brooklyn a proven positive contributor, while new 76er Jaylen Brown scored 18 after a 1 Impact for Boston.
Our outlook has the Nets at 30 wins, a -4.8 net rating and 14th in the East; Philadelphia at 41 wins, -0.1 and 10th. Tyrese Maxey had 14 points for the 76ers after a 3 Impact last season.
PreseasonFinal
Washington Wizards 111, New York Knicks 109
Washington won 111-109 as new Wizard Anthony Davis posted 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, and new teammate Trae Young added 15 points and 4 assists. Davis had a 1.2 Impact last season; Young’s was 0.8.
Our outlook has the Wizards at 23 wins, a -7.8 net rating and 15th in the East; the Knicks at 45 wins, 1.6 and sixth. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson each scored 13 for New York.
PreseasonFinal
Atlanta Hawks 123, San Antonio Spurs 116
Atlanta won 123-116. Asa Newell scored 16 after a -0.8 Impact last season, while newcomer Kingston Flemings had 15 points and 5 assists. Flemings is new to the NBA, so he has no NBA Impact rating.
Our outlook has Atlanta at 44 wins, a 1.3 net rating and seventh in the East; San Antonio at 56 wins, 6.6 and first in the West. Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 16 points and carried a 2.7 Impact last season.
PreseasonFinal
Los Angeles Lakers 114, Sacramento Kings 110
The Lakers won 114-110 behind Luka Doncic’s 23 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Doncic’s 4.8 Impact last season was near All-Star level. New Laker Sandro Mamukelashvili added 19 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists after a 1.7 Impact in Toronto.
Our outlook has the Lakers at 40 wins, a -0.2 net rating and eighth in the West; Sacramento at 27 wins, -6.2 and 15th. Precious Achiuwa scored 18 for the Kings.
PreseasonFinal
Also in this story
Josh Hart
Julius Randle
Trae Young
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More on Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Results from the teams' own posts; the context from Keel Stats data. Every number checked against those facts.
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