Two first round picks lead way

Jaquez, Jovic make needed statements; Butler out vs. Suns

PHOENIX — The juxtaposition tells the story about the Miami Heat’s past two firstround picks.

On Wednesday night at Crypto. com Arena, coach Erik Spoelstra, without hesitation, opened with 2023 first-round pick Jaime Jaquez Jr. defending LeBron James.

Spoelstra also opened the game against the Los Angeles Lakers with 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic in his starting lineup, amid the team’s rash of injuries, and often could be seen exhorting Jovic about needed defensive corrections.

Through it all, the Heat rolled to a 110-96 victory, largely through the contributions of Jaquez and Jovic.

From Jaquez, there were 16 points and eight assists, as well as one-on-one defense that helped limit James to 12 points on 6-of18 shooting, the Lakers forward never getting to the foul line.

From Jovic, there were 15 points and eight rebounds, as well as enough of a defensive presence to help the Heat withstand the injury absences of Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith.

“You have different ends of the spectrum, and that’s OK, in terms of a young player developing,” Spoelstra said, before turning his attention to Friday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns at the close of this five-game trip. “Jaime played four years of highlevel college basketball (at UCLA) and big-time tournament games. And if he didn’t play well, they didn’t win. There’s a responsibility that he learned early on from that.

“Niko is 20. And where everybody wants everything to happen right now, that’s not necessarily reality. But his head coach sees progress. He’s been drilling all the details, ad nauseum. But he’s big. He’s 6-11. He’s 230 pounds. He’s a good rebounder for his size. And he’s learning pick-and-roll coverages, and that’s probably the most important thing a big player has to learn coming into this league, how to manage when you get called up every single time. The best thing about that is he gets called up every single time, so he gets 10,000 reps. And then he’ll get coached in all the video sessions and practice sessions in the days in between.”

Ultimately, it proved to be a memorable night for both.

For Jaquez, there was the opportunity to take stock against James.

“He’s the all-time leading scorer,” the personable 22-yearold said of the 39-year-old icon.

“You try to stop him from making that record grow even bigger and bigger. That was kind of my goal.”

Included in Jaquez’s effort was a turnaround baseline jumper against James late in the fourth quarter that helped seal the victory.

“I’m gonna have that video,” he said. “I’m going to show that to my kids — when I have kids.”

Jaquez said he never allowed himself to get too caught up in the matchup against the former Heat forward.

“It’s basketball,” he said. “I try not to look at people with their accolades and their greatness. Once you get on the floor it’s me versus you. It goes all out the window. Afterward you can admire. When you get in between the lines, it’s mano y mano.”

For Jovic, who watched the finish from the bench as Kevin Love played at closing time on his 14-rebound, 10-point night, it was about the result that allowed the Heat to even their record at 2-2 for the trip.

“I felt great, especially winning,” he said after his third start of the season. “The first two games I started were losses. So for me, it was very important to win no matter what.”

All while appreciating that the defense has to improve in order to earn minutes when the Heat are whole.

“One-on-one defense is where I need to get good,” he said. “I feel like I’m there. I do make some dumb fouls. I need to stay solid and finish the play. It’s always like I’ll be right there and then at the last second, I will touch someone’s hand or bail somebody out.”

Initial results: Butler is fourth and Heat center Bam Adebayo sixth among Eastern Conference frontcourt candidates for starting All-Star berths in the initial round of fan balloting released Thursday. Heat guard Tyler Herro is not among the top 10 in East backcourt balloting. The three frontcourt and two backcourt starters will be determined by combined fan, player and media balloting . . .

The Heat have sent center Orlando Robinson to the Sioux Falls Skyforce for additional playing time in the G League. Robinson recorded a pair of double-doubles in the G League while away from the Heat at the start of this trip.

Another one: As expected, Jaquez on Thursday was named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December.

It marks the 11th time in the franchise’s 36 seasons a Heat rookie has taken the honor and third time a Heat rookie has done so multiple times, joining Caron Butler (four times) and Kendrick Nunn (three times).

Out again: Butler will miss his third consecutive game Friday, now listed as out due to a toe irritation, after previously being listed with a foot ailment.

Highsmith (concussion) remains out, as does Dru Smith following last week’s knee surgery.

Again listed as doubtful is Martin, with his ankle sprain.

Josh Richardson no longer is listed on the injury report, returning Wednesday from a back issue.