Rookie Kasparas Jakučionis turned in another hot shooting display in a productive effort on Monday, helping lead the Miami Heat in a loss against the Utah Jazz.
Jakučionis finished with 20 points, three rebounds and one assist in the 115-111 loss at the Kaseya Center. He went 6-of-10 from 3-point range in 32 minutes, 14 seconds off the bench as the Heat dropped to 2-3 in the month of February.
The 20th overall pick connected on five 3s in the first half alone. Jakučionis had a chance to hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds, but the 23-point attempt from the corner fell just short. He was grateful to have that play drawn up for him.
"It means a lot, you know?" Jakučionis said. "I got a pretty open shot, I would say. I had to make it, but it didn't happen, so now that is in the past. You can't really change the past, but you can change the future with actions. It means a lot."
Jakučionis' performance followed a 22-point effort on Sunday, in which he went a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc. He joined Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel as the only two rookies with six or more 3s in consecutive games.
The 19-year-old Lithuanian is averaging 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 46.8% from 3-point range in 28 appearances with the Heat. He is one of 16 first-year players to have multiple 20-point games this season.
Jakučionis has played a larger role for the Heat of late and has offered a glimpse of the production he can offer off the bench. His effort hasn't gone unnoticed by the team.
"He has been amazing," said Andrew Wiggins, who finished with a team-high 26 points. "Both sides of the floor, picking up full court, hitting big shots. He has been big time for us, so shout-out to him."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Heat news: Kasparas Jakučionis earns praise from Andrew Wiggins