3 Observations from the Heat's blowout Summer League win, including Jaime Jaquez Jr. extending his range

Observations from the Miami Heat’s 102-73 blowout win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in their second game of Las Vegas Summer League on Monday…

1. For the second straight game, the offense ran through Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Heat opened with a starting lineup of Zyon Pullin, Pelle Larsson, Keshad Johnson, Kel’el Ware and Jaquez, who played his final of two Summer League games on Monday.

Jaquez again dominated through his expanding offensive game, finishing with 23 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 25 minutes. Maybe the most impressive thing about Monday’s performance was his 3-point shooting. He went 3 for 5, pulling up off the dribble and firing quickly when defenders went under screens.

“That’s something he works on day in and day out,” Summer League coach Dan Bisaccio said of Jaquez, who shot 32.2% on 3s as a rookie.

In his two LVSL performances, Jaquez averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 58.1% overall. He left Las Vegas on Monday night to head back to Miami, where he’ll continue to work on his strength and conditioning. 

2. Kel’el Ware’s rebounding

After grabbing just three rebounds in his first game in Las Vegas, Ware was challenged by the coaching staff to be more physical on the glass going into Monday’s tilt.

“We’re going to be on him daily,” Bisaccio said. 

The Heat have set a benchmark number for Ware: Ten rebounds per game.

He got 12 on Monday, including 11 rebounds (to go along with nine points) in the first two quarters to set the tone.

3. Josh Christopher’s fourth-quarter eruption

After scoring just three points in the first three frames, Josh Christopher erupted for 20 points in the fourth quarter to help the Heat cruise to a win.

He poured it in from everywhere on the court but especially from beyond the arc, making five of his seven 3-pointers.

“Everybody was so excited for him,” Bisaccio said of Christopher’s shooting display. “They know the work that he’s put in behind the scenes.”

Christopher, who finished last season on the Heat’s G League affiliate in Sioux Falls, has been working with the Heat coaches since May. The former first-round pick said he wants to show the Heat he can thrive as a role player.

“Be an animal on defense, and taking my shots, shooting my 3 and trusting the work that I’m putting in,” Christopher said. “Just being able to play off the ball and play a whole new role, be one of those 3-and-D guys.”

The 22-year-old has tallied 43 points in the Heat’s first two LVSL games.