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2023 NBA Summer League Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (7/8)

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While the 2023-24 NBA season is still a few months away, basketball is back in a big way this summer. That’s right, it’s time for the 2023 NBA Summer League! With so much hype surrounding this year’s draft class — yeah, we’re looking at you Victor Wembanyama — the 2023 NBA Summer League figures to offer basketball fans a ton of action to take in. Games are televised on ESPN, and sportsbooks have odds available for betting. You know that we’ll have you covered throughout the 2023 NBA Summer League with picks for each and every game on the slate. Let’s take a look at our top odds, picks, and predictions for today’s 2023 NBA Summer League games.

Today’s 2023 NBA Summer League Best Bets

Here are our top picks for today’s 2023 NBA Summer League action.

Heat vs. Celtics

The Miami Heat are back in action after going 1-1 in California earlier this week. They’ll take on the Boston Celtics in Las Vegas to begin an eight-game slate. The Heat are challenged offensively. Nikola Jovic added 22 points, and Jamal Cain added 17 off the bench in their latest game against the Kings. Jamie Jaquez only saw 16 minutes and scored four points on 1-for-6 from the floor. It’s hard to know where the offense will come from with the Heat game-to-game. However, they’ll face a Celtics team that is one of the least appealing teams in the Summer League. Jordan Walsh was their only 2023 draft pick. He’ll get a lot of minutes, but he’s not a bonafide scorer. I’ll take the Under.

Pick: Under 

Mavericks vs. Thunder

The Mavericks will play their first Summer League game of the year. The most recent draft picks, Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Propser, will get some minutes. The Mavericks also have interesting prospects like Mike Miles Jr. and Jordan Walker. They’ve also got many G-League guys who have experience overseas. They’ll face a Thunder team currently 2-1 in the Summer League. Oklahoma City didn’t even have Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, or Jalin Williams and defeated the 76ers in their last game. It’s unknown if any of those guys will play. But this Thunder team has depth and three games with each other already. Back the Thunder.

Pick: Thunder -4.5

Knicks vs. 76ers

New York didn’t have a single draft pick this season. So there’s not too much excitement with this Summer League squad. Trevor Keels, DaQuan Jeffries, and Isaiah Roby will lead the squad. But again, this team isn’t very appealing. On the other hand, the 76ers just lost to the Thunder, 100-91. Jaden Springer and Terquavion Smith have been solid at the guard spots, but the Sixers aren’t getting production inside the arc from their forwards. I still think the 76ers have enough on their roster to sneak by the Knicks.

Pick: 76ers -1.5

Pistons vs. Magic

Nobody’s going to want to mess with the Pistons. Detroit will feature Jalen Duren, James Wiseman, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Marcus Sasser. That’s going to be an insane starting lineup for Detroit. Meanwhile, they’ll take on the Orlando Magic, who added 22 players to their Summer League roster. Jett Howard and Anthony Black’ll lead them. Caleb Houstan should also produce for Orlando. Chances are, someone will shine on this Magic team. We know they’ll be a very well-rested group. I’m on the Over here.

Pick: Over

Grizzlies vs. Bulls

Memphis lost its final game in California, 98-83, to the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies are now 2-1 in the Summer League, but all of the backups and reserve players started in that game. So take that loss with a grain of salt. David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, and Kenny Lofton Jr. have each dominated for the Grizzlies in the two games that they’ve played. Meanwhile, the Bulls started their Summer League with an 83-74 win over the Raptors. Chicago held the Raptors to just 37.3% from the field. However, they didn’t have any player score more than 15 points. I like Memphis to get back on track as long as their key players are inserted into the lineup.

Pick: Grizzlies -5

Pacers vs. Wizards

Indiana has a lot of young talent on their roster. Benedict Mathurin will continue to develop with the Pacers in the Summer League. He’ll be joined by Andrew Nemnhard, Jarace Walker, Isaiah Wong, and Kendall Brown. They’ll also have Mojave King, and Ben Sheppard, drafted by the Pacers this season. There’s not much experience, but the potential is sky-high for this group. Still, the Pacers look to be the much better team against the Wizards, who have Bilal Coulibaly, Johnny Davis, Tristan Vukcevic, and other guys who weren’t even drafted. Back the Pacers.

Pick: Pacers -4.5

Bucks vs. Suns

Milwaukee is coming into tonight’s game 1-0 after earning a win over the Nuggets last night. The Bucks got incredible production out of MarJon Beauchamp and Nico Mannion. Jazian Gortman added 13 points in 12 minutes for Milwaukee off the bench. He’s an Overtime Elite prospect with a ton of potential. He put together one of the more surprising efforts on the first full day of the Summer League in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Suns hope they can find some gems on their team to fit their final roster spots. They’ve got Toumani Camara, who was selected 52nd. Only one other player on the roster was drafted. Give me the Bucks.

Pick: Bucks -3

Clippers vs. Jazz

The Utah Jazz played their third game of the Summer League without Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabough. Both are dealing with injuries and won’t be rushed back. Still, the Jazz have Ochai Agbaji on their roster, Keyonte George, and Johnny Juzang. They’ve got scorers but lack depth down low. On the other hand, the Clippers will showcase their two draft picks this year, including Jordan Miller and Jobe Brown. They’ll also have Jason Preston, Moussa Diabate, and a bunch of players overseas after graduating college. I think the Clippers could be good, but also think the Jazz have an advantage after playing with each other for three games already.

Pick: Jazz -3.5

Check out our other best bets for Saturday:


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