Heat notes: Ryan Conwell’s preseason push, Andrew Wiggins’ hot shooting, Bobby Portis’ role

Ryan Conwell continued his impressive preseason Friday night with 21 points and seven assists in 29 minutes off the bench, according to reporter Anthony Chiang. The Heat traded up to the 37th pick in this year’s draft to select the 22-year-old guard out of Louisville, and he is averaging 17.0 points over his last three games with 18 assists and just four turnovers.

“I would say just the game slowing down a little bit, being able to process things faster, making better reads, just understanding the game,” Conwell said of his growth throughout the preseason. “That’s really just the biggest thing, just learning.”

Andrew Wiggins, entering his second full season with the Heat, believes he had his “best preseason yet,” according to Chiang. Wiggins connected on 60.6% of his shots from the field and 46.7% from three-point range in the four games he played.

“I couldn’t tell you why, but I put in the work,” Wiggins said. “And the team has been great. It’s been a really great training camp and great days leading into the preseason games. And I feel like with every game, it’s just been getting better. The chemistry has been building.”

Bobby Portis was acquired from Milwaukee to help match salaries in the Antetokounmpo trade, but the Heat consider him much more than a throw-in, according to reporter Ira Winderman. The veteran big man shot 45.6% from beyond the arc last season, and his experience playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo should be valuable.

“He’s a guy that I’ve played with for many, many years,” Antetokounmpo said. “He knows exactly when I have the ball, how I operate, where the open spot will be for him.”