Today, the Heat played the Hawks in the Las Vegas Summer League. Last year, the Heat won their first Las Vegas Summer League title. The Heat couldn’t hold the lead in their first game. But, draft night steal Kasparas Jackulonis played a lot better than in the California Classic. Last season, the young Heaters gave this fan hope that the organization would combine with the veterans to have an explosive mix of scoring, energy and defense. It didn’t happen.
Hawks outscore Heat in final quarter
The Heat were up 89-77 with under six minutes left in the game. But then Kobe Bufkin, Eli Ndiaye and Jacob Toppin started to contribute scoring. Bufkin started by getting fouled on a three-point shot by Jackulonis. He then scored a layup and converted another foul shot.
Toppin then scored three straight points. Ndiaye scored five straight points. The game was tied at 93 with 1:47 remaining so the Heat were responding offensively. Ndiaye and Bufkin scored five straight points to push the Hawks ahead. The Hawks went up by six at 101-95 until Jackulonis made another three-point shot. The Heat couldn’t answer.
Heat’s remaining Summer League schedule
The Heat will play three more games. They will play the Cavaliers on Sunday, the Celtics on Monday and the Pistons on Thursday the 17th. The Heat went 2-1 in the California Classic. Jackulonis didn’t play well in the Classic. He played very well against the Hawks, scoring 25 points.
Pelle Larsson scored 16 points but shot 30% (3 of 10 shooting.) He did get to the line 11 times and made nine. Kel’el Ware only secured six rebounds and the Heat were terribly out-rebounded by the Hawks (55-42.) Jackulonis did get to the line five times and made all his free throws.
