Cavaliers
Mario Hezonja looked much more comfortable in his second preseason appearance with the Cavaliers.
Mack Perry of Sports Illustrated highlighted Hezonja’s all-around performance against Orlando, when the veteran forward finished with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in just under 17 minutes.
Hezonja also shot 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. But the more important part was the variety. He ran the floor, helped on the glass, spaced the floor and made plays defensively.
That’s exactly the sort of versatility Cleveland was hoping to get when it brought him back to the NBA after more than six years overseas.
Hezonja is still fighting for a consistent role, but Sunday was a pretty good argument for one.
Rockets
Marcus Smart made a strong first impression with Houston.
Smart scored 20 points with five rebounds and four assists in his preseason debut against Dallas, prompting Rockets coach Ime Udoka to praise what the veteran guard brings beyond the box score.
“He’s really cerebral on both sides of the ball and has played in big games,” Udoka said, via Eric Jay Santos of Sports Illustrated.
Udoka added that Smart’s experience, toughness and ability to handle point-guard duties could be especially valuable when Fred VanVleet needs a night off.
“His experience, and the edge and toughness that he brings every night, is going to be invaluable for us,” Udoka said.
Smart signed a two-year deal with Houston this summer and gives Udoka another trusted veteran in a crowded backcourt.
Bucks
The Bucks may have an interesting competition developing behind their starting guards.
Tre Allen of Sports Illustrated points to Kevin Porter Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis as two players who could be battling for backup point-guard minutes.
Porter struggled in his preseason debut, scoring seven points on 1-of-6 shooting.
Jakucionis made a stronger first impression in his next opportunity, finishing with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes against Oklahoma City.
Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro appear set as Milwaukee’s starting guards, while rookie Brayden Burries should also have a role.
That leaves Porter and Jakucionis among the players trying to carve out minutes behind them.
It’s preseason, so nobody is winning or losing a job after one night. But Jakucionis certainly gave Taylor Jenkins something to think about.
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