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Former Michigan State standout Adreian Payne showed improvement playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA summer league in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo)

EAST LANSING -- Adreian Payne had a tough night shooting in his NBA summer league finale on Saturday, but the Atlanta Hawks' No. 15 pick of the first round made his team as effective as any other player when he was on the floor in a 78-71 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Atlanta outscored Houston by eight points when Payne was in the game despite his 4-of-15 shooting (1-of-8 from three) largely because of his team-high nine rebounds in Las Vegas.

Payne also had two assists, one steal, one blocked shot and just one turnover in his 27-plus minutes on the court.

Payne averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds during the six-game NBA summer league in Las Vegas. He shot 37.5 percent from the floor, 30 percent from beyond the 3-point arc and 75 percent from the free-throw line (12-of-16).

After collecting 15 personal fouls in his first two summer league games, Payne adjusted by getting 14 fouls over the next four.

Payne also showed improvement with his ball security in the second half of league play, turning the ball over seven times over his last three games compared to 14 turnovers in his first three games in Las Vegas with the Atlanta franchise.