Ben Simmons struggled in Brooklyn’s 109-80 pre-season loss to Miami Heat as the Australian’s lack of playing time over the last year started to show.
Simmons only attempted three shots while he was out there, and scored four points.
For the victorious Heat, Bam Adebayo scored 17 points, undrafted rookie Jamal Cain added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
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Kevin Durant led Brooklyn with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting in 26 minutes. Simmons added 10 rebounds to his four points.
Miami star Jimmy Butler played for the first time in the pre-season, scoring two points in the first half and then sitting in the second half. Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo didn’t play for the Heat.
The Nets were minus Joe Harris, who was resting an ankle that left him out most of last season, and Kyrie Irving, who had the night off after the birth of his child. Seven Heat players scored in double figures.
Kyle Lowry had 15 points and Dru Smith, Duncan Robinson and Jamaree Bouyea each added 12 for Miami. Cain signed with the Heat in July after playing for Marquette and Oakland University.
Durant played 19 minutes in the first half and scored 18 points, making six of seven shots. Simmons and backcourt mate Royce O’Neale each played 18 minutes.
Cam Thomas scored 13 points and Markieff Morris had 10 for the Nets.
Through the first half, the teams tried various combinations, mixing the starters with some key bench players. Both sides seemed to stretch their stars for some extra minutes in the shortened NBA preseason.
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