Spoelstra after Heat drop 144 on the Nets: ‘Our pick-and-roll defense in the first half was really bad’

Oct 15, 2026

144 and not satisfied

Miami shot 59 percent with 62 points in the paint in a 144-128 preseason win, yet Spoelstra said the defense needs to be shored up.

A rough first half

Brooklyn scored 66 before the break, with Michael Porter Jr. finishing with 27 points. Miami held the Nets to 62 after halftime.

Giannis in bursts

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 15 rebounds, nine assists and three blocks in 24 minutes.

Spacing details

“You have to get organized when he’s attacking and make sure that we’re in the right spots,” Spoelstra said.

Not stressed about the rotation

Without Adebayo, Dru Smith and Larsson, 14 players got in. “Our depth is going to be a factor all year long,” Spoelstra said.

Richards and Mitchell

Nick Richards started at center and had 11 points. Davion Mitchell needed six stitches above his eye and insisted on going back in.

Next up

Miami closes the preseason Friday at Orlando, then opens the regular season Oct. 21 against Minnesota at Kaseya Center.

Photo credit

Photo by Erik Drost, CC-BY-2.0, resized. Erik Spoelstra.

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