NBA Summer League Picks & Predictions: Thursday (7/16)
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.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Summer League Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dallas Mavericks (-105) at Oklahoma City Thunder (-115) | O/U 180.5 (-110/-110)
The Mavericks (1-2) meet the Thunder (0-3) at 4:00 p.m. ET at the Thomas & Mack Arena on the campus of UNLV. The game can be viewed and/or streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
The last time we saw the Mavericks in action, they topped the Memphis Grizzlies 96-88 on Monday night. As such, they’ve had two full days to get ready for their fourth Summer League game.
In that win over the Grizzlies, Dallas shot 51% (30-of-59) from the field and 46% (12-of-26) from downtown, while limiting Memphis to just 37% (32-of-86) from the field and 29% (12-of-42) from three-point range.
The Grizzlies were able to hang around thanks to a +15 rebounding margin, including a silly 20-to-3 advantage on the offensive glass, giving Memphis plenty of second-chance points. Dallas had 10 blocks, though, while Memphis managed just three. Dallas was-4 in turnover margin, however.
Summer League has been a disaster for Oklahoma City. In Salt Lake, the Thunder were 0-3 with a -25.4 point differential, managing just 73.3 points per game (PPG). In Vegas, the production has been a little better, but the Thunder is still 0-3, averaging 88.7 PPG while allowing a league-worst 102 PPG and posting a dismal -13.3 point differential.
It’s hard to imagine why the Thunder would be favored in this one, given how disastrous they’ve been. Add in the fact that Dallas has been rested for the past two days, and we should see another loss for Oklahoma City. Also, let’s go high on the total, as the Thunder’s defense has been a disaster.
Picks: Mavericks Moneyline (-105) & Over 180.5 Points (-110)
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)