Miami Heat Beat Los Angeles Lakers 80-76 in Summer League Finale

Heat Win California Classic Despite Lakers' Strong Finish

Box Score and Highlights Available on ESPN

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Miami Heat defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 80-76 on Sunday in the final game of the 2024 California Classic Summer League. The Heat finished the tournament with a 3-1 record, while the Lakers went 1-3. Despite the loss, the Lakers had their best performance of the Summer League in the finale. They led by as many as seven points in the fourth quarter before the Heat rallied to take the lead for good with 2 minutes remaining. The Heat were led by Gabe Vincent, who scored 20 points and hit the game-winning three-pointer. Omer Yurtseven added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Caleb Martin chipped in 18 points. The Lakers were led by Max Christie, who scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Scotty Pippen Jr. added 15 points, while Mason Jones chipped in 10 points. The Heat will now head to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League, while the Lakers will return to Los Angeles to prepare for the upcoming season.

Conclusion

The Heat's victory over the Lakers in the California Classic finale was a testament to their depth and resilience. Despite not having their top draft pick, Nikola Jovic, in the lineup, the Heat were able to compete with one of the most talented teams in the Summer League. As for the Lakers, they showed some promise in their final game, but they still have a lot of work to do before they are ready to challenge for a championship. The Lakers have a lot of young talent, but they need to find a way to put it all together on the court.