The Miami HEAT defeated the Phoenix Suns 80-71 Tuesday afternoon at Thomas & Mack Center in the Samsung Las Vegas Summer League. Michael Carrera led the way for the HEAT with 16 points.
1. Carrera Closes Things Out
Something must’ve clicked for Michael Carrera after hitting a three with 22.5 seconds left in the third quarter. Why you may ask?
Well, that started a run of 14 straight points for the Venezuelan. Whether it was inside, outside, off-the-dribble or off-the-ball, Carrera didn’t miss.
While he scored in a variety of different ways during the spurt, one of his better conversions came in transition.
It all started with 7:43 left in the fourth when Briante Weber brought the ball up court and hit Askia Booker with the crossover and behind-the-back dribble. Once he saw Carrera cutting to the basket, he rifled him the ball in stride. From there, the forward made the tough layup in traffic.
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In addition to his 16 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, Carrera also snatched four rebounds and blocked a shot.
2. White Gets Going
Okaro White showed some flashes as a viable stretch four, as he had the agility and quickness to stay with guards on the perimeter. On the flip side of the ball, the former Florida State Seminole primarily knocked down jumpers.
Still, one of his more impressive plays came at the rim midway through the second quarter. With 5:21 to play in the period, White set a screen for David Walker at the right wing and rolled to the basket. Once Walker found the forward, White absorbed contact from Alan Williams and finished the play. He would also hit the ensuing free throw.
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White finished with 12 points, a game-high 12 rebounds (four offensive) and two assists in 23 minutes of action.
3. Lee Keeps Miami Ahead in the Third
Just one day removed from shooting the lights out against the Nuggets, Damion Lee kept up his scoring ways. This time around though, Lee took it the cup for some pretty finishes. The swingman scored 8 of his 13 points in the third and helped keep the pressure on Phoenix. In addition to those 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, Lee also grabbed two boards.
4. Weber Does His Thing
What else can you say about Weber’s defense at this point? Like he has all Summer League, the point guard was extremely active and racked up steals with ease.
On one sequence late in the first half, Weber accounted for four quick points in a matter of nine seconds thanks to his sharp defense.
To start the fray with 3:10 left in the second quarter, he helped double-team Marquese Chriss and stole the ball from him. Chriss then got called for the clear-path foul, which Weber converted into two points. Shortly thereafter, the VCU product knocked down a pull-up jumper.
Otherwise, Weber did a nice job of setting up his teammates and attacked the basket often. In all, he amassed 11 points, six assists, five steals, two rebounds and a team-high plus-12 rating.
Other Takeaways:
-After showing he can shoot the ball in Orlando, Victor Rudd has played a little bit bigger in the Las Vegas slate. On Tuesday afternoon, Rudd muscled his way to two and-one conversions. He finished with seven points in 17 minutes of action.
Notes:
-Due to a prior hip contusion, Rodney McGruder exited the game in the first quarter and did not return.
-Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Juwan Howard Jr. sat out.
