The Miami Heat had this one in hand for most of the night, then watched it slip away in the kind of Summer League chaos that can turn a comfortable lead into a gut punch fast. After building a 16-point advantage, Miami’s developmental group fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, who erased the deficit and pulled out a 93-91 win in double overtime.
For the Heat, Ryan Conwell was again one of the most noticeable names on the floor. The second-round rookie came out firing with a wing three-pointer and kept hunting shots throughout the game, even as the makes came and went.
He finished with 16 points on 33.3 percent shooting (6-18), along with seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. From deep, he went 2-for-12.
That kind of shot appetite is part of what stands out with Conwell. He’s not shy about pulling the trigger, and even on a rough shooting night, he kept himself involved offensively.
That confidence matters, especially for a rookie trying to carve out a place while the roster around him is filled with veterans. He may not be asked to take on that kind of volume with the main team, but the willingness to keep pressing when the offense stalls is a useful trait.
Vladislav Goldin also had a night that showed both why he’s interesting and why there’s still work to do. The Russian native finished with six points on 33.3 percent shooting, six rebounds and four blocks, but he also piled up nine personal fouls in a Summer League setting where 10 sends a player out. He missed a few contested finishes at the rim, and that part of his game has to tighten up if he’s going to keep climbing.
On the other side, the Lakers got a huge performance from first-round selection Cameron Carr, who led everyone with 26 points on 43.8 percent shooting. He added eight rebounds and an assist, and his scoring punch was a big reason Los Angeles was able to storm back after trailing for so much of the game. Trevor Keels’ physical play also stood out in the comeback effort.
Miami had momentum after its 88-87 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, but this one ended with the Lakers taking over late and forcing the extra sessions that flipped the result.
In Other News...
Heat Fans Just Got The Answer On Khris Middleton Pursuit
Khris Middletons next move is now clear, and it does not send him to Miami. The veteran wing has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Washington Wizards, a transaction reported by ESPNs Shams Charania that also ties in the Dallas Mavericks and closes the door on a pursuit that had lingered around the league.
For the Wizards, it is another step toward building a veteran core they believe can push into the Eastern Conference playoff race. Middleton is heading back to Washington after playing parts of the last two seasons there, giving the team a familiar piece as it tries to stabilize its rotation and add more proven depth. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Dream Scenario May Already Be Slipping Away
The Heats post-Giannis outlook has already shifted from dream-chasing to damage control. After swinging big to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami has little left in the way of premium trade chips, which is why any talk of another headline-grabbing addition has to be viewed through a much tighter lens than before.
Kevin Durant has naturally surfaced as the kind of name that keeps Miami in the conversation, but the path there looks far steeper than it sounds. With most of the valuable assets already spent in the Giannis deal, another blockbuster would come at a punishing cost, and the sense around the league is that this is not a realistic lane right now. If the Heat want to keep upgrading, they may have to think smaller, whether that means depth, fit, or a different kind of star hunt altogether. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Riley Just Sent Heat Fans A Conflicting Bobby Portis Message
After the trade that brought Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami, Pat Riley made it clear he sees Portis as more than a throw-in. The Heat president publicly praised Portis as one of the best power forwards in the league, a notable endorsement for a player whose game has long been defined by energy, scoring touch and a willingness to do the dirty work.
Portis arrives with a reputation for efficient offense after a season in which he produced 14 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 49% overall and 47% from three. The question for Miami is whether that production can translate into the kind of all-around impact the Heat will need, especially with the defensive concerns that have followed him and are unlikely to disappear just because the jersey changed. [Read more 🡒]