2023 NBA Summer League Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (7/7)

by BettingPros Staff |
Jul 07, 2023

While the 2023-24 NBA season is still a few months away, basketball is back in a big way this summer. Thatâ€™s right, itâ€™s time for the 2023 NBA Summer League! With so much hype surrounding this yearâ€™s draft class â€” yeah, weâ€™re looking at you Victor Wembanyama â€” the 2023 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 weâ€™ll have you covered throughout the 2023 NBA Summer League with picks for each and every game on the slate. Letâ€™s take a look at our top odds, picks, and predictions for todayâ€™s 2023 NBA Summer League games.

Todayâ€™s 2023 NBA Summer League Best Bets

Here are our top picks for todayâ€™s 2023 NBA Summer League action.

Pelicans vs. Timberwolves

The New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves will begin their summer league journey today. The Pelicans will have their 14th overall pick, Jordan Hawkins, available. Dyson Daniels drafted 8th in 2022, will also be on the team. Those two will likely lead the Thunder, along with E.J. Liddell and Izaiah Brockington. On the other hand, the Timberwolves have a much deeper roster, including many draft picks from last year and this year on the roster. Minnesota will feature Wendell Moore Jr., Josh Minott, Matteo Spagnolo, Leonard Miller, and Jaylen Clark. Minnesota signed a lot of G-League talent to their Summer League team too. I'd be surprised if the Timberwolves looked bad to begin Summer League. Back Minnesota.

Pick: Timberwolves +1.5

Nuggets vs. Bucks

The Denver Nuggets have plenty of international talent, a couple of G-League guys, and solid undrafted players out of college. They'll also have former 2022 draft picks like Peyton Watson and Cassius Stanley to go along with this year's draft picks, Julian Strawther, Julian Pickett, and Hunter Tyson. Collin Gillespie will also be on the roster. He's got NBA experience and a championship ring. The Bucks will feature a pair of draft picks this season, including Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston. They've also got MarJon Beauchamp, Nico Mannion, Drew Timme, Tacko Fall, and A.J. Green on the roster. They're going to be just as talented as the Nuggets. Both offenses should end up cooking today.

Pick: Over

Bulls vs. Raptors

The Chicago Bulls don't have the most appealing roster. They drafted Julian Phillips with their second-round draft pick this year and will have Dalen Terry, a draft pick from last season. But overall, I don't see many bonafide scorers on this roster. Adama Sanogo could be that guy, but in his first game with the Bulls, it's hard to expect that. But I'm high on this Raptors club. They'll have Gradey Dick leading the way. Toronto also has so many exciting athletes from college, including Kevin Obanor and Marquis Nowell. They'll also have Ron Harper Jr., Moses Brown, and Joe Wieskamp, who all have at least a little experience at the NBA level. I'll ride with the Raptors here.

Pick: Raptors ML

Trail Blazers vs. Rockets

It's time to watch Scoot Henderson with the Portland Trail Blazers. Maybe he'll change Damian Lillard's mind tonight. He'll compete with Keon Johnson, Kris Murray, Shaedon Sharpe, and Rayan Rupert. Portland's got a lot of exciting names on their Summer League team and should gel well. However, the Rockets should also be very good. Like the Blazers, the Rockets have much experience on their roster. Darius Days, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason will play in the Summer League. Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore'll join them. That could be their starting five, and that's absurd for the Summer League. I'm backing the Over. I'm hyped for this game.

Pick: Over

Cavaliers vs. Nets

The Cavaliers aren't very deep for the Summer League. They'll have Sharife Cooper and Isaiah Mobley. They'll also have Emoni Bates trying to make a name for himself. But this might be one of the weakest rosters I've seen in the Summer League. However, the Nets are just as weak. They'll have recent draft picks Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson to accompany David Duke Jr., who has NBA experience. I still think that'll be enough to get by the Cavaliers.

Pick: Nets +1.5

Hornets vs. Spurs

The Spurs and Hornets will meet for the second time in the Summer League. The Spurs didn't have Victor Wembanyama in the first game and still defeated the Hornets 96-77. But he's expected to play for at least a bit in tonight's game. The Spurs went 2-0 in the Summer League without Wembanyama. With the addition of him, they probably won't miss a beat. Meanwhile, the Hornets are 0-2, and Brandon Miller has struggled to begin his Summer League journey. Amari Baily came off the bench against the Warriors and added 17 points on 6-for-9 from the field. Maybe he'll get more playing time because he scored the most on the team in their second game of the Summer League. I'll back the Spurs in this spot.

Pick: Spurs -6.5

Kings vs. Hawks

The Sacramento Kings are currently 2-0 in the Summer League. The Kings are getting ridiculous production out of Keegan Murray. He probably didn't have to play in the Summer League this year. He played in many NBA games and shot ridiculously from downtown throughout the season. But the extra work won't hurt him. The Kings will face a Hawks team without anyone who can go toe-to-toe with Murray. They'll have A.J. Griffin, Tyrese Martin, and a couple of this year's draft picks, Kobe Bufkin and Seth Lundy. But, again, nobody can play with Murray right now.

Pick: Kings -2.5

Warriors vs. Lakers

The Warriors are 1-1 in the Summer League. But I've still been impressed. They just took it to the Hornets, earning a 98-83 victory on Wednesday. Lester Quinones added another major night of production, adding 21 points in 27 minutes for the Warriors. Trayce Jackson-Davis is banged up with a hamstring injury. It's unknown if he'll play. But he would just be a bonus to this squad. Meanwhile, the Lakers have plenty of scorers between Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schfino, Cole Swider, and Colin Castleton. But the bench has struggled to do much of anything, and the defense just allowed the Spurs to shoot 46.2% from three and the Heat to shoot 45.5% from three in their first two games. I can't rely on Los Angeles' defense right now. Take the Warriors.

Pick: Warriors +3

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