While the 2024-25 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 2024 NBA Summer League! The 2024 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 2024 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 2024 NBA Summer League games.
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Today’s 2024 NBA Summer League Best Bets
Here are our top picks for today’s 2024 NBA Summer League action.
Thunder vs. Heat
The Oklahoma City Thunder lost its first Las Vegas Summer League game to the Toronto Raptors. Oklahoma City's best player in the Summer League, Ousmane Dieng, has been shut down for the remainder. It's the typical way for the Thunder. They'll usually allow the guys on the end of the roster to get opportunities to showcase their skills. On the flip side, the Miami Heat added 119 points in their win over the Celtics. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 29 points and 11 rebounds, which was the highlight for Miami. The Heat also got 20 from Josh Christopher and another 15 from Cole Swider. Miami even watched first-round pick Ke'lel Ware scored 17 points in 25 minutes on 7-for-9 from the field. Ultimately, the Heat have many more offensive threats, and it's hard to imagine the Thunder keeping up. Take the Heat at -7.5.
Pick: Heat -7.5 (-112)
- Jason Radowitz
Pistons vs. Rockets
Two games into Summer League play, one thing has become apparent for the Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore have come to play. Against the Wizards, it was Whitmore who led the way with 25 points while Sheppard chipped in 22; they each recorded five steals. Detroit played its first Summer League game Saturday; Ron Holland II, this year's first-round pick, had a decent game with 15 points and seven rebounds vs. the 76ers. But Detroit had too little offense and not enough defense to hold the 76ers back, losing 94-81. From what we've seen of both teams, the Rockets will have way too much offense for Detroit to handle. Houston will win this one with ease.
Pick: Rockets -6.5 (-108)
- Travis Pulver
Mavericks vs. Grizzlies
The Grizzlies followed an impressive showing in Salt Lake City with a blowout win over the Kings on Friday. They were led by many of the same faces we saw last week with Jake LaRavia, Scottie Pippen Jr, Cam Spencer and GG Jackson. The Grizzlies were incredibly aggressive and managed to get to the free throw line, making 30 of 34 attempts. They’ll take on a Mavericks team here that gave the Jazz, the betting favorite in Vegas headed into the week, a scare in game one. They were also aggressive offensively and managed to attempt 32 free throws of their own. The total has been set fairly high for this one, but these offenses are both capable of filling the stat sheet. We’ll take the over and root for some shotmaking.
Pick: OVER 184.5 (-110)
- Ryan Rodeman
Trail Blazers vs. Sixers
After a lackluster 1-2 showing in Salt Lake City, the 76ers got the Vegas Summer League off to an excellent start with a win over the Pistons on Saturday. As a team, it wasn't an outstanding performance by any means. However, fans had to love what they saw out of Ricky Council IV (24 points, six rebounds). Keve Aluma and Jeff Dowtin also had solid performances, but the 76ers failed to put the game away vs. a bad Pistons team until the fourth quarter. Portland saw first-round pick Donovan Clingan play great defense in his Summer League debut vs. San Antonio, but his offense was lacking (four points, 1-8 from the floor. Neither team looked good in their opener, and both have plenty to work on going forward. However, with Ricky Council IV leading the charge, the 76ers offense will eventually overwhelm the Portland defense.
Pick: Sixers -6.5 (-112)
- Travis Pulver
Jazz vs. Kings
The Jazz got off on the right foot, barely, easing by the Dallas Mavericks 90-89 in the first showing in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Kings were buried 103-83 by the Memphis Grizzlies entry. Sacramento hasn’t played since Friday, so they’ll be well-rested. The Kings actually outshot game the Grizzlies in that game, but Sacramento committed an obscene 31 turnovers which led to their demise. Sacto had four starters with at least three turnovers, and seven players had three or more miscues. That cannot be the case going forward. The defense also allowed 103 points, which should be something Over bettors like. Utah edged Dallas, shooting 48.1% from the field, while connecting on nine 3-pointers. The Jazz made it to the free-throw line just 11 times, making seven of those shots. If the Kings can cut down on their turnovers, we’ll be headed for an Over result, as they have plenty of talented perimeter players. And if the Jazz can get to the stripe a few more times, and convert at a much more efficient rate, they have a good chance to get into the 90’s, and flirt with triple digits, too.
Pick: OVER 179.5 (-113)
- Dan Dobish
Celtics vs. Lakers
It’s been a fairly disappointing Summer League for the Lakers. Big names on the roster have underwhelmed but the books still like their chances against the competition. For Monday that competition is the Celtics. This Boston Summer League team had quite the performance in their first game, scoring 114 in a loss to the Heat. The Heat shot 61.5% from the field including 60% from beyond the arch. As rough as the Lakers’ offense has looked this Summer, this matchup against the Celtics might be exactly what they need to get going. It’s a great opportunity to back a roster that will be playing its fifth game of the Summer and buy low on the Lakers.
Pick: Lakers +5 (-110)
- Ryan Rodeman
