Pelle Larsson hit a floater in overtime to lead the Miami Heat to a 120-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League championship. Under Summer League rules, the first team to score seven points in overtime wins. Miami outscored Memphis, 7-5, in the extra period.
Josh Christopher led the Heat with 24 points, hitting six 3-pointers. He was named Summer League MVP after averaging 19.3 points as Miami finished 6-0. Alondes Williams and Kel’el Ware each added 20 points, with Cole Swider scoring 19 and Larsson finishing with 16.
Before the final game, Ware was named to the All-Summer League first team, averaging 18 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest.
Christopher is trying to earn a spot on the Heat’s roster after playing for the Utah Jazz’s G League team last season. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 first round (No. 24 overall) out of Arizona State and played two seasons with the team.
The Grizzlies were led by Jake LaRavia’s 32 points and six rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. continued an outstanding performance during the 11-day showcase with 29 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and four steals. GG Jackson II added 28 points and nine rebounds for Memphis, which finished Summer League play with a 5-1 record.
Pippen and Jackson joined Ware on the All-Summer League first team, along with Reed Sheppard of the Rockets and Jordan Miller of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Two good possessions by Scottie Pippen Jr. First a good pressure on the rim for the and-1 and then, after a beautiful defensive possession by GG Jackson, he rewards him for running the court with a beautiful pass in transition. pic.twitter.com/YOkjzbi4p5
– Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) July 23, 2024
Based on his Summer League showing of 21.5 points and 8.6 assists per game, Pippen appears to be working himself into a regular roster spot. His standout performance was in Sunday’s semifinals against the Clippers, during which he racked up a triple-double of 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Pippen, 23, is the son of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and is entering his second season with Memphis. Originally signing with the Los Angeles Lakers from Vanderbilt, he joined the Grizzlies on a two-way contract. In 21 games (16 starts), he averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists last season. Pippen also made 42% of his 72 3-point attempts.
