NBA Summer League Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (7/8)
Betting on teams in the NBA Summer League that have not played together much can be tricky. To help you figure out where you want to put your money, we've created our list of the best NBA Summer League picks and bets for Tuesday, July 8th. We've got four games on the schedule tonight as the California Classic continues and the Salt Lake City Summer League tips off tonight.
Let's take a quick look at each game.
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Tuesday’s Best NBA Summer League Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In NBA Summer League play, it can be hard to develop the chemistry needed to play a complete game. Memphis appears to be emphasizing offense in Salt Lake. They recorded a solid 92-80 win over the Thunder, but then the Grizzlies lost a 112-111 shootout to Utah.
As for Philadelphia, the 76ers put forth a solid effort in their opener against Utah, only to fall 93-89. VJ Edgecombe led the way with a double-double - 28 points and 10 rebounds. Edgecombe didn't dress for the second game against Oklahoma City. It was apparent the 76ers were without their best player.
Both teams have their issues and hang-ups. But I just don't see any reason to believe the 76ers can establish a lead against the Grizzlies and hold them off.
Pick: Grizzlies -1.5 (-110)
Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors
Golden State won their opener versus Los Angeles, 89-84, but then lost a close one to the Spurs (90-88). Today, they'll face a Miami team known for typically taking NBA Summer League play seriously. But after crushing San Antonio in the opener, 82-69, they got blown out by the Lakers (103-83).
Golden State has some promising young talent to work with. But they don't have a lead dog. They are a bunch of solid, complementary pieces without someone to complement. Miami is led by arguably the best player in the NBA Summer League in Kel'el Ware. The Warriors will put forth a solid effort defending the perimeter. However, they will struggle to handle the Heat's size and speed.
Pick: Heat -2.5 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz
This is an interesting game to try and gain perspective on Utah, as three of the four games they've played have been against the same team - the Philadelphia 76ers. Utah has beaten Philadelphia twice and Oklahoma City once.
Utah appears to be doing a better job of generating offense, scoring 93 points in each game. Keyonte George led the way in the first game versus Philly, with Kyle Filipowski getting it done in the second with 22 points. Ajay Mitchell has been the standout for the Thunder, with 24 points in the loss to Memphis and 16 in the win over the 76ers.
I get the feeling that defense will be an afterthought for both teams in this game, with the winner being whoever makes the fewest mistakes.
Pick: Over 178.5 Points (-110)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
After laying an egg in their NBA Summer League opener, the Spurs were determined to put forth a better effort against the Warriors. Golden State had already defeated the Lakers and went on to win 90-88. David Jones-Garcia led the way with 25 points, followed by Omari Moore with 13.
As for the Lakers, they bounced back from a loss in the opener to Golden State (89-84) to record a dominant 103-83 win over the Miami Heat. Several players turned in solid performances, like Cole Swider (20 points), DJ Steward (14 points) and Darius Bazley (16 points and nine rebounds).
I might be more inclined to get behind the Spurs if we knew if Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant would play, but we just don't know. Combine that uncertainty with the likelihood that they don't shoot from three-point range anywhere near as well this time (11-for-28, 39.3% vs. Golden State; 6-for-32, 18.8% vs. Miami), and it is hard to see the Spurs keeping up.
Pick: Lakers -6.5 (-110)