Heat loses summer league finale after blowing big lead; Ennis struggles again

With Justise Winslow and Shabazz Napier sidelined by ankle injuries, the Miami Heat completed summer league play in Las Vegas by squandering a 51-26 halftime lead and losing 73-68 to the Sacramento Kings in overtime Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Miami, which was outscored 27-1 to start the third quarter, finished 1-4 in Las Vegas after going 5-0 in Orlando.

Second-round pick Josh Richardson scored 18 of his 23 points in the first half, closing 8 for 18 from the field and with four steals.

Forward James Ennis (13 points, 9 rebounds) continued to struggle with his jump shot (4 for 16 from the field, 0 for 8 on three-pointers) and committed seven turnovers.

Winslow ended up missing three of the five games in Las Vegas (because of general soreness, the ankle injury and an appearance at the ESPY awards) and played only 23 combined minutes in the other two.

Queried by national reporters afterward, Winslow said: “I’m looking forward to winning championships. We have the talent to do it. … I can impact the game in so many ways. … Summer league really helped me mentally.”

Winslow’s final summer league numbers, including four games in Orlando and six overall: 9 points per game, 34 percent shooting from the field (14 for 41), 3 for 12 on three-pointers, 12 turnovers and 9 assists.

Napier’s final summer league numbers, in four games: 17 points per game, 36.5 percent shooting (19 for 52), 5 for 14 on three-pointers, 18 assists and 11 turnovers.

 

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 8:24 PM with the headline "Heat loses summer league finale after blowing big lead; Ennis struggles again."