2023 NBA Summer League Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (7/9)

by BettingPros Staff |
Jul 09, 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.

Raptors vs. Cavaliers

The Toronto Raptors lost their first Summer League game to the Chicago Bulls, 83-74. The Raptors found absolutely no offense, especially from the bench. Markquis Nowell added 17 points to lead the team, but the offense hit just 37.3% from the field. They'll face a Cavaliers team that added 101 points against the Nets in their first game. Sharife Cooper had one of the best outputs on Friday after adding 27 points on 8-for-12 from the field for the Cavaliers. Cleveland isn't very deep either, but with Isaiah Mobley and Sam Merrill producing at a high level, I like the Cavaliers to run away with this one.

Pick: Cavaliers -2 (-110)

Lakers vs. Hornets

The Lakers entered Las Vegas and added a 103-96 win over the Warriors. Los Angeles is getting solid production out of Max Christie, who was already on the Lakers' roster last year. They got production out of many different guys, including Colin Castleton and Cole Swider. If the Lakers can get production from down low, they will be tough out. Meanwhile, the Hornets have so much young talent, but they're not gelling. Brandon Miller had his best outing against the Spurs, but the team added only 68 points. I'm not high on either team, but this Hornets team is playing awfully. Take the Lakers.

Pick: Lakers -3 (-110)

Knicks vs. Nets

The Knicks and Nets aren't exactly a rivalry. But New York fans will still enjoy this one. The Knicks lost to the 76ers yesterday, 110-101. New York's bench out-performed their starters. So we'll see if the Knicks throw out a different starting five tonight. On the other hand, the Nets lost to the Cavaliers, 101-97. Jalen Wilson debuted great, but Noah Clowney couldn't make a bucket. He's still a solid rebounder, which will help even if his shot doesn't fall. Armoni Brooks led the team with 17 points and will likely lead the Nets to another victory tonight.

Pick: Nets -2.5 (-110)

Pistons vs. Rockets

The Pistons have the most stacked roster. Detroit used a starting lineup of Marcus Sasser, Jalen Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and James Wiseman. If this lineup played in the NBA, nobody would question the Pistons. They wouldn't make it far, but this is an NBA-level team. They're facing a Rockets team that won't start Amen Thompson. He's hurt and won't play against his twin brother in this one. But Houston still escaped Portland in their first game of the Tournament, even without Thompson. Jabari Smith Jr. hit a game-winning, buzzer-beating three, giving him 33 points on the night. Tari Eason also scored 20 and has NBA experience. Also, Thompson and Cam Whitmore combined for 30 points themselves. There's so much talent in this game. Take the Over.

Pick: Over 186.5 (-110)

Celtics vs. Wizards

I'm not impressed with this Celtics team. Jordan Walsh added 18 points, and Jay Scrubb came off the bench to score 17. But there's a lot to be desired on this team. They watched Orlando Robinson add 36 points against them, and the entire starting five for the Heat added double-figures against the Celtics. They're taking on a Wizards team that fought pretty hard against the Pacers. Washington's Bilal Coulibaly didn't have the best of games in his debut. Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Johnny Davis were the two leading scorers. The Wizards stuck around against the Pacers because Indiana was missing a lot of threes. I'm not confident in either team's ability to score consistently. I'm on the Under.

Pick: Under

Spurs vs. Trail Blazers

The Spurs continue to win with Victor Wembanyama and without him. This team is playing solid defense and has a starting-five flourishing on offense. The team doesn't have much depth, but you'd have to imagine Wembanyama performs better from the field in his second Summer League game. They'll take on the Portland Trail Blazers, who won't have Scoot Henderson. He went down with an injury in the first game. Portland will rely on Shaedon Sharpe, Jabari Walker, and Kris Murray to score. They've still got a solid core of players. I'll ride the Over in this one.

Pick: Over 185.5 (-110)

Hawks vs. Nuggets

Atlanta only added 76 points against the Kings in their first game of the Summer League. The Hawks got 17 points from Brady Manek off the bench. He played only 19 minutes and went 5-for-10 from downtown. He's got some potential, along with A.J. Griffin and Kobe Bufkin. The Hawks are loaded with talent and will likely start to gel more as the league continues. On the other hand, the Nuggets allowed the Bucks to shoot over 52% from the field on the defensive end in their first game. They were also destroyed on the glass. Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther played well, along with Jalen Pickett, who will usually be close to a triple-double every game. Hunter Tyson came off the bench and scored 21 points in 27 minutes. He'll probably get the start moving forward. The Nuggets don't have much depth beyond those guys I mentioned. I like the Hawks a tad bit more.

Pick: Hawks +2 (-110)

Pelicans vs. Warriors

The Pelicans and Warriors began their Las Vegas Summer League with losses. The Pelicans allowed the Timberwolves to score 102 points. New Orleans has great guard play, but E.J. Liddell and Karlo Matkovic couldn't even combine for ten rebounds in 40 minutes. Meanwhile, the Warriors have already played many games dating back to their matchups in California. Gui Santos has looked extremely good for the Warriors. He's been joined by Lester Quinones and Kendrick Davis. Brandin Podziemski has also contributed well to this team so far. Those forwards should have a field day against New Orleans' forwards.

Pick: Warriors +2.5 (-110)

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