For most of Pelle Larsson’s Arizona career, he let others around him take the big shot.
On Monday night, with the NBA Summer League championship on the line, Larsson decided it was turn.
Larsson hit a game-winning running shot in overtime to win the Miami Heat its first-ever Summer League championship in Las Vegas. Larsson maintained balance through contact and gave the ball just the right amount of air to roll in.
By Summer League overtime rules, the game concluded with an Elam ending. The first team to score 120 points won.
Larsson, the the 44th overall selection in the NBA Draft, fought through foul trouble to score 16 points in the championship game along with four assists and three rebounds. Former Arizona forward Keshad Johnson, who signed with the Heat as an undrafted free agent, missed the game with an ankle sprain.
It was a former Sun Devil, Josh Christopher, who stepped up big repeatedly for the Heat. Christopher scored 21 points include a step-back 3-pointer off an assist by Larsson that put Miami within two points of the overtime victory. Christopher won MVP honors.
The Heat also received 21 points from former Oregon center Kel’el Ware.
But it was Larsson who commanded the ball on the game’s final possession, aggressively driving to the paint as he did so many times in an Arizona uniform.
After the game, Larsson was asked what he showcased during Summer League.
“I think just my hunger. I’m always hungry. Hungry, hungry, hungry. I’m going to keep working. I’m not going to stop.”
Larsson agreed to a three-year, $5.4 million contract with the Heat earlier in July. Johnson, meanwhile, awaits a contract offer from Miami.
For now, the two will get to celebrate perhaps one last victory tougher.
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