Just as previous Heat first-round picks Nikola Jovic (2022) and Jaime Jacquez Jr. (2023) experienced breakout moments in their inaugural summer-league games, Kel’El Ware took on a similar team 102-86 Experienced those moments in victory. Rookies and young free agents of the Sacramento Kings.
From alley-oop finishes to an intriguing variety of post moves, the 7-footer taken with the No. 15 pick out of Indiana closed with 26 points and 11 rebounds in a spectacular and powerful performance.
Ware’s effort helped the Heat bounce back from a 105-66 loss to the Golden State Warriors summer team in Saturday’s Summer League opener.
“I really wanted to show my offense in this game,” Ware said. “I think the more I get comfortable, it will be much more comfortable than it is today.
“Today I was being more aggressive in the paint.”
Heat assistant Dan Bisascio, who is coaching the Heat summer roster, said it was enjoyable to watch Ware get into his offensive bag.
“He did an amazing job creating action, rolling to the rim, sealing,” Bisaccio said. “He did a great job with his touch around the rim. And then again, the rebound.”
Then there was Isaiah Stevens, an undrafted point guard from Colorado State, who was on the receiving end of many of Ware’s finishes.
“Man, he makes my job easier, makes me look good. “It seems like I know what I’m doing half the time,” Stevens said, smiling. “A prodigy of nature athletically. I have never played with a big man like him.
Ware said that once he got over the jitters of his first game, it became a whole new game.
“Today, as the game went on, I definitely started getting more of that rhythm,” he said. “I feel like as I get more used to the environment, I think it’s getting better.”
Ware said it was a solid effort to work in paint.
“Right now, my shot seems to be a little short, so I wanted to get to the basket more,” he said, “and be more of a target with my presence.”
Balancing the scoring from the perimeter for the Heat was returning forward Cole Swider, who finished with 21 points on a 5-of-10 3-point shooting performance.
“On the surface, you look at it, 5 of 10 from three, 21 points, we like all that stuff,” Bisasio said, “but can you do a lot of other things? He got some distractions today. Defensively he was very strong, and that’s something we always want him to continue to do.
“And then, as we’ve been mentioning, can you step up that shooting, can you become more of a playmaker? And he was feeding some people. “He had some good sprays.”
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson, selected No. 44 in the second round, filled the box score with nine points, six assists and five rebounds.
Sunday’s starting lineup beyond Swider, Ware and Larson was completed by two-way player Keshad Johnson, Arizona’s undrafted forward, and Stevens, who was signed to an Exhibit 10 tryout contract on Saturday.
Stevens started in place of Saturday’s starter Alondes Williams, a returning guard who later played as the Heat’s first reserve on Sunday.
Stevens started 4 of 4 from the field and kept the Heat steady with his playmaking, finishing with 10 points and seven assists.
Johnson added 13 points, Williams with nine points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Kings are taking a split-squad approach to Summer League, while also entering a portion of the California Classic being played in Sacramento.
The Heat led 27–20 after the opening period, 56–44 at halftime, and 76–66 at the fourth quarter.
Unlike regulation NBA games, summer-league games are played with 10-minute quarters instead of 12-minute periods.
(all times eastern)
California Classic
(San Francisco, Chase Center)
Wednesday, 7 p.m. vs. Lakers, ESPN2
nba summer league
(Las Vegas, UNLV)
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. vs. Celtics NBA TV
July 15, 6 p.m. vs. Thunder, ESPNU
July 17, 3 PM vs. Mavericks, ESPN2
July 19, 9 p.m. vs. Raptors, ESPN+
(Plus at least one additional game in Las Vegas, depending on the results of the last four.)
This post was published on 07/07/2024 5:56 pm
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