Heat’s Ware goes from Spoelstra criticism to breakout performance in summer-league loss

LAS VEGAS — Message received.

At a time of year when little counts regarding NBA scores and statistics, Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware made a definitive statement in Sunday night’s 92-72 Las Vegas NBA Summer League loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

His intensity and professionalism called into question a day earlier by coach Erik Spoelstra, Ware responded by scoring 11 of the Heat’s first 15 points, including a pair of dunks and a 3-pointer.

And he kept going from there, closing with 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots, with the most inspired of his play coming in the first half.

“That’s what we’ve been waiting for from him,” said Heat assistant coach Eric Glass, who is guiding the Heat summer roster. “And then it translated to everything else. When he comes in with that focus and that intensity, the rest of his game blossoms. He has that potential and we want to see him do it again tomorrow.”

Having largely played down to the competition in his first three summer appearances, Ware this time played with more of what helped him earn a starting position over the second half of last season, including a pair of blocked shots in his initial Sunday stint.

“I mean, it all comes down to like Spo said, just putting in the effort, going out there and playing,” Ware said.  “That’s  just what I wanted to show that I can do.”

Otherwise, it was a muted effort by the Heat’s summer roster, which fell to 0-2 in the event and therefore was eliminated from defending the Las Vegas championship the team won last year.

Five Degree of Heat from Sunday night’s game:

1. For starters: The Heat opened with a lineup of Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, Keshad Johnson, Pelle Larsson and Erik Stevenson.

The only change there from what had stood as the Heat’s primary summer starters was Stevenson in for Kira Lewis Jr.

With Lewis out of the initial mix, it made Jakucionis the primary ballhandler, with the Heat needing to get a read on whether he can advance the ball against NBA-level pressure. Results there were mixed, with Jakucionis without an assist in his initial stint.

Jakucionis was unable to replicate his 24-point performance in the Heat’s Friday Vegas opener, this time closing with six points and two assists.

“I think it’s part of the deal,” Glass said. “He’s going to be up and down. He made his shots, everybody got excited. It’s not a linear process, especially when you’re 19 years old.”

Former University of Miami forward Norchad Omier was among those who started for the Cavaliers. Omier went undrafted last month out of Baylor.

Omier closed with 10 points and eight rebounds.

2. Ware attacks: Ware not only was up to his 11 points in the first seven minutes, but then had a block and a steal on consecutive defensive possessions.

That had Ware out of the doghouse and into the televised interview after the first period on NBA TV.

“Playing with that effort,” Ware said of the switch flipped. “It’s something I haven’t been doing the last couple games. I just want to show it for the rest of the time I’m playing.”

Of his early defensive intensity, Ware said, “That’s something I’ve got to show and keep showing.”

Ware was up to 17 points and six rebounds by halftime.

Of Spoelstra’s comments a day earlier, Ware said, “I just took it as motivation. Obviously, he’s the coach and he has that trust in me and he wants to see me be the best that I can be. So I took it as motivation.”

3. Going gone: Larsson was his typical aggressive self, sticking his nose in perhaps more than needed. That had him taking a blow to the face early on a Cavaliers foul and later taking a blow to the face while defending a Cleveland 3-point shot.

As has been the case with other Heat international players over the years, Larsson will leave the Heat after their Monday night’s game, to begin preparing with Sweden for EuroBasket, which takes place later this summer.

Larsson closed with 14 points.

4. Other options: Unlike previous summers, when there were hard decisions for the Heat when it came to two-way contracts, it is possible that former FAU center Vlad Goldin winds up the lone player from the current summer roster to hold such a Heat deal.

Goldin was signed to a two-way deal last month immediately after going undrafted out of Michigan. He did not play Sunday.

Teams are allowed a maximum of three two-way contracts, with guard Dru Smith currently with a Heat qualifying offer in restricted free agency for such a deal.

5. Up next: The Heat complete the back-to-back set with a Monday 8 p.m. Eastern  game against the Boston Celtics (ESPNU).

The Heat then conclude their set schedule on Thursday at 4 p.m. Eastern against the Detroit Pistons’ summer roster (NBA TV), with at least one additional game in Vegas to be added as the playoff round begins.