FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Heat - Game 1 - California Classic - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Heat – Game 1 – California Classic – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) | Miami Heat (1-0)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Summer League squad showed flashes, however, they were ultimately out-hustled and outworked in their 107-90 loss to the Miami Heat.

The Lakers vs Heat played at the Golden 1 Center on Monday.

The Sacramento Kings host the fifth annual California Classic Summer League on July third and fifth. This year, the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets (who held the first and second overall picks in the NBA Draft) join the Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat for two days of competition at the Golden 1 Center.

In the Lakers’ first matchup against the Heat, Max Christie led Los Angeles with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs, 1-for-3 3s), six rebounds, and four assists. Christie scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half.

It was a nice start to the Summer League for Christie, as his experience from last season showed. Christie remained aggressive on the offensive end while displaying that he could remain solid on the defensive side of the court.

The Lakers got outworked by the Heat

Los Angeles’ prized rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino totaled 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists, however, he struggled to get a solid rhythm going (6-of-19 FGs, 0-for-5 3s, three turnovers). 

The start of the Lakers vs Heat first half. 

Hood-Schifino was solid defensively, but his shot is a work in progress. His ability to handle the ball is unquestioned, and he can change his pace at will, something on-ball defenders will have trouble dealing with if they’re not constantly on their toes.

To be mindful of the situation, this is just one Summer League game. Hood-Schifino should be allowed some leeway early in his very young career. Early on in the game, he did seem totally out of rhythm. Yet, as the game went on, he started to settle down. One game won’t make or break him. If anything, his stock should be trending upward.

Looking at another one of the Lakers’ newcomers, Colin Castleton had the least amount of playing time, yet, he managed to make the most of it, finishing with 11 points (5-of-5 FGs), four rebounds, and one block. 

Another Laker rookie, Maxwell Lewis, looked fluid and moved well without the ball. Lewis had seven points, three rebounds, and three assists in 16 minutes of play.

D’Moi Hodge, who signed a two-way deal with Los Angeles, looked like a really good defender. Hodge can provide a spark on the defensive side, something the Lakers missed out on for a large part of this game. Hodge had seven points, and one steal in 18 minutes.

Cole Swider and LJ Figueroa also pitched in 13 points apiece.

Reportedly, Scotty Pippen Jr. couldn’t showcase his talents because of a sprained ankle.

The end of the Lakers vs Heat first half. 

Flipping sides, it was a different story for the Heat. One could say that it is an overreaction, however, you can’t deny that Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic dominated.

The start of the Lakers vs Heat second half. 

Jaquez Jr. had a game-leading 22 points (8-of-15 FGs, 3-for-7 3s) in 22 minutes of play. Meanwhile, Jovic put up 21 points (7-of-12 FGs, 2-for-4 3s, 5-of-7 FTs), eight rebounds, and three assists.

Jaquez Jr. had 14 of his 22 points in the first half, while Jovic had 13 points and five rebounds by the end of the first half.

Chase Audige wreaked havoc on the court and made things difficult for Los Angeles. Mentioning his offensive contributions first, Audige scored 18 points (6-of-9 FGs, 4-for-7 3s). 

Audige didn’t record a steal on defense, but he was a menace defending any ball handler willing to come his way.

Dru Smith and Orlando Robinson chipped in 13 points, with Robinson adding eight rebounds and Smith having seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Los Angeles as a unit struggled to make shots for the entirety of the matchup, making just 43.4 percent (33-of-76) of their field goals, 20.8 percent (5-of-24) of their shots from downtown, and 67.9 percent (19-of-28) of their free throws.

The final score of the Lakers vs Heat was 107-90, Heat.

The Lakers will finish out the California Classic against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, July 5th, at 5:00 pm PST.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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