It was only one preseason game, but Janice Antecumba gave an encouraging performance in HeatExhibition over Toronto in Quebec on Saturday, writes Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald.
The two-time MVP, who was limited to a career-high 36 games last season due to various injuries, had nine points, seven assists and four rebounds in 14 first-half minutes. All seven of Antetokounmpo’s assists resulted in 3-pointers, Chang and the head coach recorded Erik Spoelstra compared his work to the game of the Hall of Fame Magic Johnson.
“He makes great plays” Spoelstra said of Antetokounmpo.We knew that about him. We met him three times in the playoffs. But when you actually see it every day in practice this week, you realize just how brilliant a playmaker he can be.
“The size, vision and ability to just put it on the numbers for your shooters is really impressive. (president) Pat (Riley) has been at practice all week and the way he plays with the ball and delivers the ball reminds us all of the great point guard that played for Pat in the 80’s.”
Andrew Wiggins (12 points on 4-of-6 3-point range in 13 minutes) was one of the players to benefit from Giannis’ added attention, and Pele Larson (13 points in 11 minutes) said playing alongside the ball-dominant superstar was easy Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
“He’s an incredible passer“- said Larson about the Greek forward.He makes the right play every time, driving, throwing to wide shooters. So it’s very easy to play with.”
Here’s more from the Southeast Division:
- After a strong finish last season, Jamal Cain hopes to claim a consistent rotation role in his second season with magicwrites Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. The Magic picked up Cain for the 2026-27 season in June, and the fifth-year forward said he spent most of the offseason in the gym. “This year is definitely different from the previous four” said Cain, whose salary is $2.6 million not guaranteed. “Just because I feel like I didn’t have real expectations for my game. Sure, teams wanted me to get better, but I feel like this is the first year they’ve looked at me coming back and producing in some way. So, I just didn’t want to take it for granted. I wanted to make sure I was prepared, I wanted to make sure I was ready to help my team, help the coaches and just help in any way I could.”
- Anthony Black (ankles) and Noah Penda (hamstring) were able to train on Sunday, magic head coach Sean Sweeney told reporters, including Bide (Link to Twitter). “They look good” said Sweeney.I hope they came out clean. Looks like they did.”
- Veteran point guard Dennis Schroeder said that his former relationship with Hornets head coach Charles Lee and head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson helped him acclimate quickly in Charlotte, according to Hornets.com’s Sam Perley (Link to Twitter). “Me, Charles and Jeff going back to the days of Atlanta…Positive Energy (here)Schroeder said.The coaching staff is really, really positive. The players accepted me and made the transition very easy for me… Overall, I’m very happy to be here.” Schroeder that traded to the Hornets in August as part of the top five Peyton Watson blockbuster.
