Player Grades from the Heat’s win over the Kings

Heat Kings Player Grades — The Miami Heat picked up a six-point win against the Sacramento Kings Sunday night. (Photo courtesy of Miami Heat // Twitter)

The Heat built a 16-point lead early in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings Sunday night, but then they had to weather a flat start to the fourth before Davion Mitchell and the stars closed it out. Here are grades for the players who logged the heaviest minutes.

Davion Mitchell: A-

17 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds in 40 minutes

Skinny: Davion was the connector once the fourth quarter got tight. He orchestrated the late push that secured the win after Miami went scoreless for stretches to open the period. The playmaking and poise in the clutch were the difference and he seems to be one of the more consistent players night in, night out.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: A-

29 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks in 34 minutes (+19)

Giannis posted the highest plus-minus on the team while scoring efficiently and hitting tough midrange jumpers. He was active on the glass and remained the most consistent two-way force. A few turnovers kept it from a pure A, but this was the kind of impact the Heat need from him night to night.

Klay Thompson: B+

23 points on 8-of-15 shooting (7-of-13 from three), 4 assists, 2 blocks in 32 minutes (+18)

Klay looked good in spurts, continuing to find his rhythm. The spacing and shot-making were important on a night when the Heat needed reliable perimeter shooting. He wasn’t perfect, but the efficiency from deep was a clear positive.

Bam Adebayo: B

18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals in 34 minutes

Bam was solid but not dominant. He contributed in the scoring column and on the glass while providing some defensive activity. The overall impact was positive, though he wasn’t quite as forceful as in some of the recent wins.

Pelle Larsson: C+

11 points on 4-of-7 shooting (3-of-4 from three), 3 rebounds, 3 assists in 22 minutes (6 fouls)

Pelle started and showed flashes with a three and some hustle plays on the offensive glass and defensively. Foul trouble was the issue — two quick ones early and a fifth early in the fourth before he fouled out. The activity was there when he was on the floor, but the fouls limited his role in a tight game.

Ryan Conwell: C+

6 points on 2-of-5 from three, 2 assists in 19 minutes (+10)

Conwell’s three ended a long dry spell to open the fourth and gave Miami a needed spark. He also contributed a couple of solid ball-movement reads. The minutes were limited, but the timing of his contributions helped steady the offense when it was stuck.

Andrew Wiggins: C-

6 points on 2-of-6 shooting, 3 rebounds in 32 minutes

Wiggins saw a lot of burn with 32 minutes but didn’t provide much secondary scoring or much of a defensive presence.

Tim Hardaway Jr.: D

0 points on 0-of-2 shooting in 7 minutes (-10)

He missed a shot in the second, came back in during a tight stretch in the fourth and missed again, then turned it over in transition. He hasn’t hit a shot in three games, and the inefficient stints stood out on a night when Miami needed more from the wing rotation.