The Chinese and Croatian national teams both lost in their NBA Summer League debuts on Friday.Both teams are competing with NBA teams in Las Vegas, marking the first time the league will feature two international teams. China previously played in the summer league in 2007.The Miami Heat had no troubles with China, jumping out to a 34-point halftime lead and cruising to a 103-62 victory behind 23 points from Tyler Herro and 20 points from Nick Mayo. Miami held China to 26.7 percent shooting in the first half, and outrebounded the Chinese 25-15 before intermission.There were estimates that at least 30 million people in China — even though the game started at 4:30 a.m. Saturday in Beijing — would be watching their national team."I know China loves the game and they take a lot of pride in their national team," said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who had 14 points. "So it was an incredible opportunity for us to be able to compete against them."The Heat had some idea of what the Chinese team would... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trips to Las Vegas feel better when they end on a win.The consolation round of the NBA Summer League gave teams a chance to experience that Friday. They had already been eliminated from the chance to win the tournament championship, but at least some can head to the airport on a high note.Many of the top performers on the teams who played Friday were already done for the week, sitting out the games so as not to risk injuries.The winners' bracket of the tournament resumes with six second-round games Saturday.Friday's results:SUNS 90, SPURS 55Phoenix blew open the game by outscoring the Spurs 29-9 in the second quarter to finish 4-1.No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton rested along with second-year forward Josh Jackson. Javonte Green led Phoenix with 20 points. Shaquille Harrison had 13, Davon Reed 11 and Jack Cooley 10.The Spurs rested first-round pick Lonnie Walker IV and finished 1-4.KNICKS 102, PELICANS 83With first-round pick Kevin Knox already done after a strong Summer League,... [More]