By Juan Carlos Blanco, RotoWire
LAS VEGAS – Josh Hart scored 24 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 96-79, in the Las Vegas Summer League at Thomas and Mack Center on Saturday.
Hart, who impressed in 63 games as a rookie last year, shot 9-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. He added three assists. Hart was expected to play one game each in the California Classic Summer League in Sacramento and in Las Vegas. He ended up playing two games in Sacramento earlier this week, but it is unclear if he will play again in Las Vegas.
The Lakers (1-0) took control in the second quarter, opening a 45-33 halftime lead. They kept the pressure on in the second half, leading by as many as 23 and scoring 30 points in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles shot 44.4 percent from the field, knocking down 14 of 31 3-pointers.
Defense was the key, though. The Lakers held the 76ers to 3-of-29 shooting from long range, forced 19 turnovers and had 13 steals and seven blocks.
Svi Mykhailiuk totaled 17 points, nine rebounds and a block for the Lakers. First-round pick Moritz Wagner totaled 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Nick King had 15 points off the bench, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored 10 points.
Zhaire Smith, selected 16th overall in this year’s draft, paced the 76ers (0-2) with 16 points, three steals and a block. Cameron Oliver totaled 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Demetrius Jackson contributed 10 points and five assists.
The Lakers return to action Sunday against the Chicago Bulls, while the 76ers face off with the Washington Wizards on Monday.
