Phoenix Suns pick up first NBA Summer League win, edge Miami Heat
LAS VEGAS — Phoenix Suns picked up their first win in NBA Summer League action Monday with a 73-70 victory over the Miami Heat at Thomas & Mack Center.
Barry Brown Jr. scored 14 points to lead the Suns, who lost their summer league opener Saturday to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns will play the second of a back-to-back Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans at Cox Pavilion.
Gabe Brown and Toumani Camara each added 11 points for the Suns while Trey Jemison chipped in 10 points with his final two proving to be the game winner.
"I was going to finish it. I promise you."
Trey Jemison on lob dunk as he admitted to seeing it late and pushing the ball in. #Suns #NBASummerLeague https://t.co/7NGBCQRYaO pic.twitter.com/orHWJ9FRB0— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2023
Grant Sherfield found Jemison for a lob dunk to put Phoenix up, 72-70, with 46.7 seconds remaining.
Down two, the Heat still had a chance to win, but Drew Peterson missed a corner 3 with a second remaining that would’ve put Miami ahead by one.
Jamaree Bouyea got into the paint with Barry Brown Jr. defending. Gabe Brown came off Peterson to help on the dribble penetration, leaving Peterson open.
Come on Gabe. Izzo would be mad if he saw that."
Grant Sherfield on Gabe Brown helping off Drew Peterson, who missed a wide open 3 with a second left that would've put Miami up one.
"We're going to laugh about it."
Brown Jr. played for Tom Izzo at Michigan State. #Suns https://t.co/SaOsGXZiOb pic.twitter.com/XV24JEj5eo— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2023
Seeing the help coming, Bouyea kicked it to Peterson for an open corner 3. Peterson had made three of his previous four 3-point attempts in scoring 13 points before missing that last one.
Jamal Cain paced the Heat with a game-high 18 points.
The Suns led by 39-30 at halftime as Camara scored nine points in the first quarter.
"They were packing the paint."
Toumani Camara as he scored just two points after his nine-point first quarter. #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/R3hv3a1G93— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2023
This is after going for 11 in the first quarter of his 20-point debut.
Camara only scored two points the remainder of the game with his last points coming in the fourth quarter to give the Suns a 60-56 advantage with 9:06 remaining.
The rookie forward who was the 52nd overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Dayton shot just 3-of-8 from the line and committed a team-high six turnovers.
"It means the world to me."
Toumani Camara on having his family at the game. #Suns #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/xERaaRbE7v— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2023
The Suns were without Jordan Goodwin, who experienced left knee soreness in Saturday’s loss to the Bucks.
Coming to the Suns from the Washington Wizards in the Bradley Beal trade, Goodwin posted 12 points, four assists and didn’t commit a turnover in 18 minutes of action Saturday.
Sherfield got the start for Goodwin as he finished with eight points, five assists, three steals and three turnovers.
"Defense held up."
Quinton Crawford on #Suns win over #Heat. #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/Z5pbNoKlSj— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2023
Suns assistant coach Quinton Crawford, who is serving as head coach of the summer league team, said he wasn't sure if Goodwin was going to play Tuesday.
Goodwin wasn't wearing a sleeve on his left knee like he was during Sunday's practice at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The Suns will play their fourth summer league game Friday against the Utah Jazz at Cox Pavilion.
Frank Vogel incoming.
Congrats Quinton Crawford on win. #Suns #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/PNkShjc79E— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2023
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns pick up first NBA Summer League win, edge Miami Heat
