NBA Summer League Picks: Lakers vs. Bulls (Thursday)
The NBA Summer League rolls on Thursday afternoon into the evening, with seven total games. Four games are available on Amazon Prime Video. The Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets meet at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks battle at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat clash at 9:00 p.m. ET, also on ESPN2. Let’s build our bankroll with our best NBA Summer League picks and predictions for Thursday, July 16th’s game Lakers vs. Bulls.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Summer League Picks & Predictions: Lakers vs. Bulls
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Lakers (-170) at Chicago Bulls (+142) | O/U 181.5 (-110/-110)
The Lakers (3-0) meet the Bulls (1-2) at Thomas & Mack Center at 6:00 p.m. ET, and the game is also on Amazon Prime Video.
Los Angeles is unbeaten so far in Las Vegas and has posted a +15.6-point differential, which ranks second in the Summer League behind the Brooklyn Nets (+17). The Lakers are averaging a healthy 95.3 PPG, while allowing just 79.7 PPG through three games, all victories.
Chicago won its first Summer League game last time out, a 99-87 win over the Washington Wizards. That victory happened on zero rest after the Bulls were trounced 80-63 by the Utah Jazz the night before. The Bulls shot 49% (34-of-70), including shooting 35% (12-of-34) from behind the arc.
Washington was +3 in rebounding, while Chicago dished out four more assists, two more steals and one more block. They also turned it over four fewer times.
Jaylin Sellers paced Chicago with 24 points, shooting an impressive 7-of-12 from the field, while hitting two triples. Sellers also had three steals, as did Tobe Awaka. Kennedy Chandler had four steals, as the Bulls had three starters with at least three takeaways. Awaka also had three blocks to go along with 14 points and 10 rebounds, producing the team’s only double-double.
It’s tempting to play the Bulls catching the points, but the Lakers have been strong. Cameron Carr had 23 points with three triples in a 99-85 win over the L.A. Clippers last time out, while Anton Watson had four blocks.
Adou Thiero went for 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, grabbing six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. Chris Manon had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double, while Arthur Kaluma was good for 15 points and three triples off the bench.
We’ll back L.A. to get the job done, and we’ll take the under in this one.
Picks: Lakers -3.5 (-110) & Under 181.5 Points (-110)