In front of a record crowd in Stockholm on Sunday, Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson nearly led Sweden to an upset over France in a qualifying game for the 2027 World Cup, according to FIBA. The Swedes were up 65-64 with five minutes remaining, but were outscored 20-4 down the stretch, ultimately losing by 15 points.

Larsson recorded a game-high 23 points in 34 minutes, going 4-of-9 from the field and 13-of-16 from the free throw line. However, the 25-year-old wing also committed a game-high seven turnovers in his 34 minutes. Sweden is now 4-4 through eight qualifying games.

Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama led the way for the French national team, notching 18 points (on 6-of-7 shooting), eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in 30 minutes. France improved to 7-1 in its group after the victory.

Here’s more from Miami:

• In a subscriber-only mailbag for The South Florida Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman writes that he doesn’t see any reason why head coach Erik Spoelstra would use Nikola Jovic as a wing — the position he’s asked to play at times for Serbia’s national team — since the 23-year-old is far more likely to receive minutes at either power forward or center. Winderman also expresses skepticism about Ben Simmons‘ potential fit in Miami, even on a non-guaranteed deal for the veteran’s minimum.
• Responding to another reader’s question about the possibility of the Heat trading for Kyrie Irving, Winderman (subscription required) observes that such a move doesn’t make much sense for the Mavericks, who would almost certainly receive more appealing offers from teams with better-fitting contracts (and more appealing draft assets).
• In the same story, Winderman explains why he thinks the Heat may open training camp with several Exhibit 10 players rather than adding a 15th player on a standard non-guaranteed contract, and examines the Heat’s two-way spots, writing that Tre Donaldson may be the player currently on the “most solid ground.” The aforementioned Exhibit 10 camp invitees could push Donaldson, Keshad Johnson or Vladislav Goldin for a two-way slot, with Russian big man Goldin appearing the most vulnerable, Winderman adds.