Heat look strong in ‘fun’ FAU scrimmage
Wade gets ovations, but Whiteside, Dragic and Jones also impressive.
BOCA RATON — From “Fortnite” dances to shooting confetti into the stands, Saturday’s scrimmage allowed the Heat to end training camp on a high note.
Now it’s back to business for the three-time NBA champions. In their final tuneup before today’s 5 p.m. preseason opener at San Antonio, Dwyane Wade and the Heat scrimmaged at Florida Atlantic.
“This was the culmination of a great week,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Lot of fun up here, lot of work.”
The Heat held training camp at FAU for the second year in a row and third time in four years. The roster was split into two teams, White and Red, and the score was reset after each quarter. Veteran big man Udonis Haslem, who will retire after the season, hit a buzzer-beating two-pointer in the fourth quarter to give the White team a 15-13 win.
What did we learn from the scrimmage? Here are five takeaways:
1. No major surprises. Given the Heat return nearly all of last year’s roster, nothing they did Saturday should have caught anyone by surprise.
Wade and Haslem, both in their final seasons, took plenty of shots and got the crowd going. Guard Wayne Ellington was held out as he makes his way back from an ankle injury. Players who are either fighting for a final spot or are guaranteed a spot on the G League team weren’t held to the bench all morning.
The only issue arose when forward Josh Richardson left the scrimmage with a left thigh contusion and did not return.
2. Wade briefly turns back time. Playing at FAU for the first time since 2015, Wade received a loud ovation every time he touched the ball. He took advantage, nailing his first a shot. three-pointer A constantly on smiling Wade ended the first quarter with six points, hit- ting three of his four free throws.
“I’ve played in a lot of these Pink and White (or) Red scrimmages,” Wade said, “This was one of the best ones with the energy and what guys brought. It was fun.”
Wade did most of his dam- age early. At least for one morning, Wade gave fans a reminder of why he’s the most revered player in fran- chise history — and, poten- tially, gave them a sign of things to come on his farewell tour.
3. Dragic, Whiteside make most of scrimmage. Miami may lack a true “big three” for now, but point guard Goran Dragic and cen- ter Hassan Whiteside are a formidable duo. Dragic had 10 points in the first quarter and lobbed an alley-oop to 2017 first-round pick Bam Adebayo later in the game. A who leaner-looking trained with Whiteside, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown this summer, was a constant force in the paint. 4. De r rick Jones Jr. shines. After playing last year on a two-way contract, Jones signed a standard contract with the Heat this summer and is guaranteed one of the team’s 15 spots. Jones, a 6-foot-7 forward, scored a team-high 11 points in the second quarter, including several powerful dunks. “He’s been like that all week where he’s had the plays of the day,” Spoelstra said. “But he was able to sustain (it) and that’s been the most encouraging thing.” 5. FAU loves the Heat. Although FAU fans are devoted to coach Lane Kiffin and the Owls football team, there’s no denying the Heat also hold a strong place in their hearts. FAU Arena was packed and loud despite the 10 a.m. tipoff, with 1,874 fans attending Saturday’s scrimmage.