Miami Heat rookie Precious Achiuwa on Tuesday was expected to log heavy minutes versus the Philadelphia 76ers due to a slew of injuries and COVID-19 issues.
The 20th overall pick did not disappoint in his first career start.
Achiuwa produced his first double-double with a career-high 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and one block in 35 minutes during the 137-134 overtime loss to the 76ers. He tallied four points and four rebounds alone in extra time before falling late to the Sixers.
The Heat center was active on both ends of the floor, and even hauled in six offensive rebounds. He showed off each element of his offensive game, from driving into the paint and finishing over Joel Embiid to his little mid-range jumper near the free-throw line.
Precious Achiuwa impressed in his first career NBA start. The rookie posted 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Heat @PreciousAchiuwa pic.twitter.com/R0vRv1SV8l
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 13, 2021
The double-double by Achiuwa was only the sixth one of the season by a rookie and his 13 rebounds are the second-most among all first-year players in a game, trailing only the 14 hauled in by LaMelo Ball on Monday.
Prior to Tuesday, Achiuwa hadn’t logged over 20 minutes in a game with the Heat and had mostly played sparingly off the bench. However, due to personnel issues, the Heat relied on him heavily and the big man produced in his first extended action of the season.
Teams around the NBA have been hit hard by COVID-19 issues, with players either testing positive or forced to sit due to contact tracing. Depth will be an important factor and the Heat showed its roster off and they have to be encouraged by what they saw, despite a losing effort.
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