Takeaways: Warriors Beat Heat as Giannis Is Missing a Steph-Like Running Mate

Curry leads second-half surge

Golden State improved to 6-3 with its sixth consecutive win, defeating Miami 120-100 on Thursday at Chase Center. Curry recovered from a quiet first half and finished with 29 points, including 22 after halftime.

The Heat fell to 3-6. Former Warriors Klay Thompson scored 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting, while Andrew Wiggins had two points on 1-of-6 shooting. Miami was outscored 38-23 in the third quarter.

Miami’s offensive questions

Miami is nine games into the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and the account says the team’s offensive problems may require a trade for a guard who can score. Antetokounmpo has often run two-man actions with Davion Mitchell or Thompson, but the story questions whether either can serve as a major playmaker.

The Heat also face awkward spacing with Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo together, while the account says they lack dynamic offensive players and assets to acquire them easily. Fatigue may also have contributed Thursday: Miami was playing the second game of a road back-to-back after an overtime game.

The story suggests Golden State could have been a better short-term destination for Antetokounmpo, pointing to a potential two-man game with Curry. Minnesota, alongside Anthony Edwards, and Boston, alongside Jayson Tatum, are also mentioned as possible alternatives.

Green anchors the defense

Green scored two points but was a key factor in holding Antetokounmpo to 20. He also recorded 11 assists and finished plus-13, according to the account. The performance followed Green’s ejection against the Suns on Monday. While the story notes discussion about whether his offensive limitations could make a bench role sensible in some matchups, it argues his defense made him an obvious starter against a team with Antetokounmpo.

Veteran additions deliver

Golden State had been limited largely to veteran-minimum contracts after giving De'Anthony Melton the taxpayer mid-level exception in the offseason. Four players signed on those deals contributed against Miami: Georges Niang scored 13 points, Brandon Williams had 10, Charles Bassey added eight, and Gary Payton II scored nine.

Niang also had four rebounds and three assists; Williams recorded four assists and two blocks; Bassey had seven rebounds and three blocks; and Payton had one steal. The account praises general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. for drafting Yaxel Lendeborg and making effective end-of-roster decisions, while noting that injuries to Curry and Jimmy Butler have also affected the team.