The NBA Finals and NBA Draft may have wrapped up, but that doesn’t mean the action stops for the Association. The California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer Leagues kicked off their action on Monday night. The California Classic will wrap up tonight, and the Salt Lake City will conclude tomorrow night. And the main event, The Vegas NBA 2K24 Summer League, will begin on Friday night and run through the 17th. Before heading to Vegas, let’s preview the action tonight and give out some best bets for the games!
NBA Summer League Games – Betting Preview & Picks for Wednesday, 7/5
Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Hornets -2.5 (O/U 173.5)
Both teams enter tonight’s California Classic finale coming off losses on Monday night. The Hornets were blown out by the San Antonio Spurs 98-77. It was an overall sloppy performance from Charlotte, where they shot 39% from the field, 63% from the free throw line, and had 17 turnovers. They were led in scoring by the number two overall pick, Brandon Miller. Miller scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds, but had six turnovers of his own.
On the other side, the Warriors were much more competitive in their opener, falling to the home team Sacramento Kings 100-94. Golden State was able to stay close in their game because they made 14 threes as a team. Lester Quinones led the way with 26 points, including five made threes on eight attempts.
In this game, I am looking at regression from both sides. I believe Charlotte will be sharper with the basketball and limit their live ball turnovers as a point of emphasis from the staff. I’m anticipating Charlotte to get more production from their role guys and shoot the ball better from the perimeter. And on the other side, I anticipate regression from the 14 made threes from Golden State to a lower number close to single digits. I like the Hornets to cover the number here and come away from California with a split.
Pick: Hornets -2.5
Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder -5.5 (O/U 180.5)
Both teams enter tonight’s game in Salt Lake City at 1-0 and coming off entertaining close wins. The Grizzlies beat the Philadelphia 76ers 94-92. Memphis was led by a balanced scoring attack of Kenneth Loften, Vince Williams, and David Roddy, combining for 57 points. Additionally, Memphis made 16 threes on 44 attempts.
Conversely, the Thunder were led by their number-two overall pick last year in Chet Holmgren. Holmgren scored 15, grabbed nine rebounds, and had four blocks. Additionally, the Thunder got strong contributions from their backcourt in Tre Mann and Jalen Williams, who combined for 41 points.
Looking at the matchup of this game, I think the length and size of Oklahoma City will give Grizzlies issues. I think regression from the three-point line will also be coming from Memphis because of the size and athleticism that the Thunder possesses. I am looking at the Thunder here to continue their momentum behind their young star in Holmgren.
Pick: Thunder -5.5
San Antonio Spurs-4.5 @ Los Angeles Lakers (O/U 173.5)
The San Antonio Spurs have been labeled the can’t-miss team in the Summer League because of the anticipation for the number-one overall pick, Victor Wembanyama. However, Wembanyama will not play tonight and will make his Summer League debut on Friday night in Vegas. The current Spurs roster put on an impressive display the other night in their blowout win over Charlotte. Julian Champagnie and Dominick Barlow dominated from start to finish combining for 54 points and 19 rebounds.
Their opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers, got off to a slow start in the California Classic with a 107-90 loss to the Miami Heat. The Lakers shot a brutal 5/24 from downtown in their opener while turning the ball over 17 times.
In this matchup, I am looking at the Total for my play. The Spurs and Lakers could manufacture enough offense to reach the 90s in their openers. And in my opinion, this is impressive because neither team was able to make double-digit threes as well. I like for both teams to stay aggressive and continue to play fast but shoot the ball better from the perimeter tonight as well.
Pick: Over 173.5
Philadelphia 76ers @ Utah Jazz-2.5 (O/U 176.5)
In the nightcap of the Salt Lake City League, the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz will both be looking for their first Summer League wins. The 76ers lost a close one to the Memphis Grizzlies 94-92. The backcourt of Terquavion Smith and Jaden Springer both led the way combining for 29 points in the close loss.
On the other side, the Utah Jazz were also led by their backcourt in the opening loss. Guards Keyonte George and Ochai Agbagi combined for 35 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. The Jazz struggled to shoot the basketball from the perimeter as a team, going 9/34 from three.
In a matchup where both teams are looking for their first Summer League win, I anticipate a highly contested matchup. In trying to locate regression areas, I am looking at the perimeter shot-making capability of the Jazz to bounce back. I like the home team here behind their guards to get in the win column for the first time this Summer League.
Pick: Jazz -2.5
Miami Heat @ Sacramento Kings -2.5 (O/U 177.5)
The final Summer League matchup of the night will be between the Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings out at the California Classic. Both teams were impressive in their Summer League openers to start out 1-0. The Heat pulled away from the Lakers en route to a 107-90 victory. It was a classic Heat organization-balanced attack from their future role guys. Five guys scored in double figures, and they shot the ball like they did throughout the NBA Playoffs, going 15/33 from three.
On the other end, the Kings kicked off their Summer League season with a 100-94 win over the Kings. The next Murray in the King’s organization was dominant, where Keegan Murray went for 29 points to lead the way. On top of Murray’s performance was the balanced attack where five Kings players scored in double figures.
In a battle of the unbeatens, I am looking at another level of regression where I don’t think the Heat will be able to replicate their shot-making performance. I also like backing the best player in the game Keegan Murray for the Kings. I will lay the points with the Kings to finish 2-0 in the California Classic.
Pick: Kings-2.5
