Summer League Observations: Nuggets 86, Heat 83
By Wes Goldberg
The Miami Heat dropped their first game of Summer League play with an 86-83 loss to the Denver Nuggets Monday night in Las Vegas. Here are some observations from the game.
Shabazz Napier Shines
Shabazz Napier continues to have an impressive Summer League. After combining for 27 points and 10 assists in his last two games, last year’s first round pick had an efficient 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go along with six rebounds and six assists. While he did struggle some on defense (getting caught up in screens, etc), he was as feisty as always on that end. On offense, Napier’s showed development since last season. He seems more comfortable running the offense, and is less likely to force a shot if he hasn’t put one up in a while. Napier’s a competent 3-point shooter (2-of-4 tonight, 36.4 percent last season) but still struggles with his mid-range game, though he did hit a key mid-range jumper late tonight.
D-League Potential
The Heat have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to the 15-man roster, with guys like Napier, James Ennis, Henry Walker, Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson on the bubble. But the other thing they need to consider is forming it’s D-League team. While guard Tyler Kalinoski, center Gabriel Olaseni and forward Greg Whittington won’t make the Heat’s final roster, they have shown some promise in Summer League and could join the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the D-League.
Not This Time
Down one with 1.4 seconds left, the Heat ran the inbounds alley oop that Tyler Johnson beat the Brooklyn Nets with in Orlando. Again it was Justise Winslow with the inbounds pass, but it was Josh Richardson as Johnson (with Johnson still recovering from a broken jaw) on the receiving end. However, Richardson was called for a push off before he was able to attempt the shot.
Game notes: Justise Winslow played just 12 minutes as the Heat afforded others the opportunity to play… Henry Walker sat out again with a sprained right ankle… For whatever it’s worth, Josh Richardson had the worst plus-minus for Miami at minus-10…
The Heat will next face the Boston Celtics Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET.