Josh Richardson steps forward as leading man in Heat win

Hmm, so this is what Josh Richardson looks like as a leading man.

If nothing else, Wednesday night’s 140-128 preseason victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at AmericanAirlines Arena opened a window into why the Miami Heat are reluctant to part with the fourth-year swingman — and why the Minnesota Timberwolves apparently have targeted Richardson in trade negotiations for Jimmy Butler.

With Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, Dwyane Wade, Justise Winslow, Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder given the night off by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Richardson was afforded the rare opportunity to operate as leading man.

There were 16 points by the end of the first quarter, 20 at the intermission, on the way to 25 in 29 minutes. All of that from a player at the NBA bargain-basement (relatively speaking) price tag of $42 million over the next four seasons.

“When those guys are out,” Richardson said, “I know I’ve got to be the guy who is the leader. I love it. A lot of competitors beg for that moment.”

No less than former NBA All-Stars Reggie Miller and Chris Webber said earlier in the day they would be reluctant if they were the Heat to part with Richardson in a potential trade for Butler.

“All of this has been something that steadily has been coming from J-Rich,” Spoelstra said. “He had a real offensive bent tonight. He has an ability to impact our offense.”

As it was, the 140 points were a franchise preseason record.

“There were segments of the game when we had most of our main guys that we liked some of the things we were doing defensively,” Spoelstra said. “Then it turned into a track meet.”

Five degrees of Heat from Wednesday’s exhibition:

1. Richardson’s moment: While a similar opportunity likely won’t present itself during the regular season, with Wednesday’s rested players plus Dion Waiters and James Johnson added back into the mix, it at least was glimpse of Richardson in attack mode, with eyes on the rim.

In his second game back after missing the first four exhibitions, Richardson closed 9 of 16 from the field and 4 of 7 on 3-pointers, with four rebounds and three assists.

With Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and several other rotation players given the night off by the Pelicans, Wednesday’s statistics were tempered, but, at worst, it showed Richardson has moved beyond his thigh bruise.

In the absence of a trade, the question now is whether Richardson goes into Wednesday’s season opener as the Heat’s starting small forward or starting shooting guard, where he lined up Wednesday.

“But whatever decision,” Spoelstra said of his opening-night shooting guard, “also I’m going to leave some room to make another decision if I need to.”

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2. Slam Bam: With Whiteside given the night off, Bam Adebayo thrived as the replacement starting center, with a double-double completed by halftime.

While the performance was another sign of Adebayo being past the sore shoulder that had kept him out of the first four exhibitions, it was a reminder of Spoelstra having to find a way to utilize three rotation-worthy centers.

“We’ve seen him in the gym all summer,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo’s growth. “His work ethic and his ambition to be great — you’ll get better.”

Adebayo, who closed with 26 points and 12 rebounds, this time started alongside Kelly Olynyk, with Spoelstra again going with a big lineup, which appears to be the approach for opening night. Olynyk again was off with his shot, shooting 2 of 8, all on 3-point attempts, limited to 13 first-half minutes.

“When you’re out there, you’re in the moment.” Adebayo said of seizing upon his starting opportunity. “I was just out there enjoying it.”

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3. Airplane Mode: If there were any remaining concerns about Derrick Jones Jr.’s return from his frightening fall last week in Charlotte, they quickly were answered as he took flight early and often.

In his first game back after missing the previous two, Jones started at small forward and closed with 18 points, including a driving dunk from approximately the same heights at last week’s fall.

“He’s a super-unique player,” Spoelstra said. “We didn’t run one play for him tonight, not one.”

While not expected to be a rotation player, Jones continued to make a case of at least being in uniform on game nights, with a regular-season limit of 13 such players.

“It helps a player’s confidence a lot,” Jones said of getting Wednesday’s 26 minutes.

He said he quickly moved beyond thought of his tumble.

“I’m the type of player that I’m not going to dwell on the past,” he said.

4. Tyler’s time: Tyler Johnson was given the start at point guard in place of Dragic, able to make enough shots to at least alter the narrative of disappointment for a night.

Although still not enough of a ball-handler to be considered a point guard, he was able to fill out his line score, closing with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, seven assists and five rebounds in his 27 minutes.

5. As for the rest: With so many rotation players given the night off in advance of what could be a dress rehearsal in Friday’s exhibition finale against the visiting Atlanta Hawks, Spoelstra took a deep dive into his preseason roster.

DeAndre Liggins, who spent part of last season with the Pelicans, again showed he possesses NBA-level scoring ability should there be a need for an emergency recall during the season from the G League. Point guard Briante Weber also had his moments.

Otherwise, the most unexpected sight might have been first-quarter minutes for Udonis Haslem, when entered as the second player off the Heat bench. Haslem played first-quarter minutes only once last season.

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