Perhaps coincidence. Perhaps reason for hope. And certainly perspective needed because it is summer league.
But Nikola Jovic’s best performance three games into summer league came Tuesday in the Heat’s first victory of summer league, a 94-70 decision over the Golden State Warriors at the California Classic at Chase Center.
Scoring 25 points, including 5 of 7 on 3-pointers, and adding nine rebounds, the No. 27 pick in last month’s NBA draft, offered a smoother performance on both ends than his first two outings.
“The transition from Europe to here was really tough,” the Serbian big man said, “and today, thanks to my teammates and coach and everyone who believed in me, my shots went in.
“The first two games were really rough for me. I was just trying to get to know everybody. The game, like I said, it’s different.”
Malik Allen, the Erik Spoelstra assistant who is guiding the Heat summer roster, said it merely was a matter of time for such a moment.
“He’s been so sort of humble, and he wants to be good like right away, which is a great trait to have,” Allen said. “He was almost like apologetic after the last two. And I just told him, ‘You just got to keep playing and keep trusting, keep playing, and keep learning.’ And he’s been great with it.
“You could see it coming, just getting more and more comfortable with what we’re trying to do. He really responded and I was happy for him. Like I said, the last couple of days he’s been too down.”
Whether it was a Dirk Nowtizki-like stepback jumper, confidently converted 3-pointers or defensive containment when switched onto smaller guards, the 6-foot-11 19-year-old showed a greater degree of comfort.
Extra shooting on the team’s July 4 day off helped.
“We had a shooting workout [Sunday],” Jovic said, “trying to get my shot on, and I hit some good shots today. I’m just trying to get used to it.”
For Jovic it all is part of a transition away from his backcourt role overseas.
“I never played power forward or center,” he said, “so this is my first time actually. I know I’m not that good at it.
“I’m trying to get used to it.”
As for Jovic’s defensive stands against Warriors guard Moses Moody, a member of the Warriors’ main roster who scored 13 Tuesday, Allen said the moments were encouraging.
“I can’t sit here and say his NBA defense overall is ready to go in a playoff game,” Allen said. “But, at the same time, he’s done a really, really nice job in terms of picking things up and taking the challenge when teams try to get him switched on the ball.
“That’s what you want. You want competitiveness on the ball and he’s shown that.”
Overall, Jovic said, a step forward.
“I watched how I played. I watched both games a few times,” Jovic said of the Heat’s two opening losses. “Because, like I said, I’m not playing with the ball that much, I have a different role with the team. I’m trying to figure things out.
“After two rough games, I think I looked all right today. Now I know I can get a few more buckets in the NBA.”
The Heat also got 12 points and nine rebounds from forward Haywood Highsmith, a member of the team’s 15-player standard roster, and 11 points from guard Mychael Mulder, who is on a two-way contract.
Also solid with their play were Heat summer tryout candidates Jamaree Bouyea (13 points) and Kyle Allman Jr. (10 assists).
Guard Javonte Smart, who led the Heat in scoring in each of their first two games at the California Classic, was given the day off, with five more summer-league games to follow for the Heat at the NBA Las Vegas Summer League.
The Heat also played without forward Jamal Cain, who was listed in NBA health-and-safety protocols for the second consecutive game.
The Heat opened with a lineup of Jovic, Highsmith, Robinson, Mulder and Allman Jr.
Jovic had played off the bench in the previous game, after he started the summer opener. He opened Tuesday’s scoring with a 3-pointer.
Unlike the first two games on the Warriors’ home court, the game was played in the absence of spectators.
The Heat next play Saturday in Las Vegas at 5:30 p.m. Eastern (NBA TV) against the summer roster of the Boston Celtics.
The Heat’s roster in Las Vegas will be bolstered by center Omer Yurtseven and guard Marcus Garrett, who began last season with the Heat on a two-way contract.
