2024 California Classic Summer League: Heat hold off Lakers

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• Heat 80, Lakers 76: Box Score | Game Detail

SAN FRANCISCO — Matching 21-point efforts and standout defensive performances from Keshad Johnson and Alondes Williams keyed the Miami Heat to a narrow 80-76 victory over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers in a California Classic Summer League battle at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wednesday evening.

The first quarter portended the wire-to-wire battle the game would turn out to be, as the two teams emerged from the opening period in a 21-21 deadlock. After trading blows in a similarly competitive fashion over the middle periods, the fourth quarter began with the Heat holding a thin 59-58 lead. The contest ultimately came down to the final minute, when Miami’s defense forced two misses sandwiched around three turnovers between the 2:18 and :11 marks of the final period to seal the hard-fought win.

Johnson and Williams led the Heat with 21-point, nine-rebound, three-assist efforts. Johnson added three steals and three blocks, while Williams tallied a steal and a pair of rejections. Josh Christopher furnished 11 points, five boards, four assists and two steals. Zyon Pullin supplied 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.

The Lakers were led by first-round pick Dalton Knecht’s 20 points, which he complemented with nine rebounds and one assist. Colin Castleton turned in an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists, four blocks and two steals. Maxwell Lewis registered 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. James played 29 minutes and took only three shots on his way to three points, but he added five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

The two teams now shift their play to the Las Vegas Summer League, with the Heat next taking the floor against the Boston Celtics on Saturday evening and the Lakers tangling with the Houston Rockets on the opening slate of games Friday night.