2023 NBA Summer League Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (7/15)
While the 2023-24 NBA season is still a few months away, basketball is back in a big way this summer. That’s right, it’s time for the 2023 NBA Summer League! With so much hype surrounding this year’s draft class — yeah, we’re looking at you Victor Wembanyama — 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 we’ll have you covered throughout the 2023 NBA Summer League with picks for each and every game on the slate. Let’s take a look at our top odds, picks, and predictions for today’s 2023 NBA Summer League games.
Today’s 2023 NBA Summer League Best Bets
Here are our top picks for today’s 2023 NBA Summer League action.
Hornets vs. Timberwolves
The Hornets and Timberwolves will begin the NBA Summer League consolation portion. The Hornets haven't won a game, and the Timberwolves have only won one game in Vegas. The Hornets didn't give Brandon Miller any minutes in their most recent game. James Bouknight was the key contributor. They've also got Bryce McGowens and Nick Smith Jr. taking many shots. On the other hand, Minnesota only added 80 points in their most recent loss. The bench started playing better than their starters for most of the game. I don't trust either team, but I like Charlotte's scorers more. I'm backing the Hornets.
Pick: Hornets +3 (-110)
Warriors vs. Raptors
The Warriors and Raptors both went 0-4 in the Summer League. The Warriors just allowed 118 points to the Rockets in their last meeting. Golden State's offense responded well, but the defense was abysmal. The Warriors couldn't stop a Houston Rockets team from trying to compete for a Summer League Championship. However, seeing Trayce Jackson-Davis start for the Warriors and put up acceptable numbers was good. Golden State will face a Raptors team that didn't even play Gradey Dick in their most recent game. No matter who plays, it doesn't matter. The Raptors have been awful and can't score at a consistent rate. I'm on the Warriors.
Pick: Warriors -1.5 (-110)
Bucks vs. Kings
Milwaukee began the Summer League with two wins. But they've lost two straight and haven't scored more than 72 points in either of those two games. The Bucks have a long bench, but the depth still lacks. When MarJon Beauchamp is struggling from the field, Milwaukee is toast. On the other hand, the Kings just won by 13 against the Timberwolves last time out. Sacramento used a nine-man rotation for that win, with Kessler Edwards leading. The Kings seem a bit more serious about winning. They're tightening the rotation for those who deserve it. Take the Kings.
Pick: Kings (-110)
Wizards vs. Bulls
Washington dominated the Thunder yesterday. Oklahoma City didn't play Jalin or Jaylin Williams and also didn't play Chet Holmgren. Now it's Osuane Dieng's team, along with Jared Butler. Those two were the only two that had a big outing yesterday. They'll face a Bulls team that fell to the Cavaliers 87-83 last time out. The Bulls have gone with an eight or nine-man rotation recently. Javon Freeman-Liberty, Dalen Terry, and Julian Phillips haven't disappointed so far, but the depth from downtown is still weak. I'm taking the Under in this game.
Pick: Under 180.5 (-110)
Celtics vs. Magic
Boston lost to the Knicks yesterday, 97-89. Jordan Walsh just went 3-of-11 from the field. The Celtics had six players in double-figures but couldn't get stops defensively in their last game. Meanwhile, the Magic are 0-4. They didn't play Jett Howard or Anthony Black in their previous game and were destroyed, 88-71, against Portland. No matter who plays, the Magic are ultimately the worst team in the Summer League. I'll trust that starting five for the Celtics.
Pick: Celtics -3.5 (-110)
Nuggets vs. Knicks
The Nuggets earned an impressive 112-81 win over the Heat yesterday. Miami sat their normal starting five, but Denver used that to its advantage. The Nuggets got 31 points from Hunter Tyson and 23 more from Julian Strawther. If anything, this game should be a confidence builder coming into tonight's game. They'll take on a Knicks team that earned a massive 97-89 win over the Celtics. Boston didn't sit their players. The Knicks won this game fair and square and got 47 combined points from Charlie Brown Jr. and Trevor Keels. Although it will be the second back-to-back game for both teams, I'm on the Over.
Pick: Over 178.5 (-110)
Grizzlies vs. Suns
The Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 100-69 last night. David Roddy and Jake LaRavia added 20+ points, and the bench also had some performers. They'll face a 1-3 Phoenix Suns team tonight. The Suns scored 93 points in their loss to Utah last night. They hadn't scored more than 75 points in any game prior. Grant Sherfield put up 23 points and went 5-for-11 from downtown. But I still don't trust this offense like I do with Memphis'. Back the Grizzlies tonight.
Pick: Grizzlies -3 (-110)
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