By Juan Carlos Blanco
Briante Weber provided a full stat line that included 17 points to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 74-67 victory over the Miami Heat in the Orlando Summer League opener Saturday at Amway Center.
The Hornets jumped out to a 27-18 lead after one quarter and kept their foot on the gas throughout, holding a 44-34 advantage by halftime. Treveon Graham and Johnny O’Bryant joined Weber with double digits in the scoring column and Charlotte out-rebounded Miami by a 56-48 margin.
Weber added five rebounds, two assists and four steals to his team-high scoring total over his 29 minutes. Graham contributed a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included four assists and three steals. O’Bryant supplied a full stat line of 12 points, four rebounds, one assist, three blocks and a steal. Dwayne Bacon stepped up with nine points, three rebounds and one assist.
The Heat were spearheaded by a 20-point effort from promising second-year big man Okaro White, who poured in 20 points and added eight rebounds, three blocks and a steal. Former Kentucky Wildcat Bam Adebayo followed with an impressive 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that also featured two assists, three blocks and a steal. Gian Clavell registered 13 points, eight rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal, while London Perrantes chipped in with 10 points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal.
The Heat next face off with the Magic on Sunday afternoon, while the Hornets do battle with the Pacers on Sunday as well.
