The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas is set to begin today, featuring seven different games on the schedule. After looking through the entire slate, I’ve added three best bets you’ll want to consider for today’s action. Let’s get right to it! Here are our top 2025 NBA Summer League picks and predictions for Thursday.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Summer League Picks
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | All picks are for 1 unit
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Summer League Picks
It’s not Luka Doncic vs. Anthony Davis, but the hype is still there, knowing it’ll be No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg’s debut for the Dallas Mavericks tonight. Meanwhile, Bronny James should get some minutes with the Los Angeles Lakers. Therefore, you’ll have to pay a premium price to watch the Mavericks-Lakers game in person.
The Lakers already played in the California Classic before heading over to Vegas. Los Angeles lost to Golden State, 89-84, but responded with a win over the Miami Heat, 103-83, on Sunday. Then on Tuesday, the Lakers escaped the Spurs, 89-88. They’re now 2-1 in their first three Summer League games. Ultimately, Dalton Knecht has been the star, after he scored 25 points against the Spurs on 9-for-18 from the field. Darius Bazley added 27 points off the bench and grabbed 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. He’s making himself a viable candidate for an actual NBA roster.
On the other hand, for the Mavericks, Cooper Flagg will be joined by exciting talent like Ryan Nembhard, Maxwell Lewis, Nolan Hickman, and Moussa Cisse. This team lacks a significant veteran presence and has only three players who were drafted in the NBA. Flagg should be fun, but the Lakers are way more talented and have much more depth.
Pick: Lakers -3.5 (-115)
Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Summer League Picks
The Denver Nuggets will play their first Summer League game of the year against the Milwaukee Bucks. Denver will likely rely on DaRon Holmes II. The former Dayton standout suffered an Achilles rupture in his Nuggets debut and lost his first NBA season, but he’s back and should produce at a high level for the Nuggets. He’ll play with intriguing names like Boo Buie, Hunter Tyson, E.J. Liddell, and Keyontae Johnson. Liddell has the most experience on the roster.
On the other hand, the Bucks have a wealth of talent, with players who have accumulated multiple seasons of experience in the NBA. Keita Bates-Diop has been in the league for six seasons. He’ll be a part of the roster, along with Andre Jackson Jr., who has played two seasons in the NBA.
It’ll be fun to watch Mark Sears and Wade Taylor IV. David Joplin is another player to watch, and Jamaree Bouyea could easily break out.
There’s a lot of offensive talent in this game, so I’m on the Over.
Pick: Over 173.5 Points (-115)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Summer League Picks
There was plenty of hype around the San Antonio Spurs when they drafted Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. However, he won’t be playing in tonight’s game due to a groin injury.
The Spurs are 1-2 in the Summer League without Harper, including a most recent 89-88 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. David Jones-Garcia has been the primary offensive weapon for this squad. He’s scored 25 points in back-to-back games, but the rest of the starting lineup has been inconsistent.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have shut down No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe with a thumb sprain. He scored 28 points with 10 rebounds in his debut for the Sixers earlier this summer in Utah. Still, the 76ers have more depth. Judah Mintz has been red-hot, and Justin Edwards is always reliable. They’ve also got Johni Broome, Jalen Slawson, and Jalen Hood-Schifino. It’s a solid group with lots of depth, even without Edgecombe.
I like the Sixers to earn the win and cover the 4.5-point spread.
Pick: 76ers -4.5 (-115)
