The Vegas Summer League rolls on tomorrow, with the consolation round of the league (aka the losers). The playoffs, involving the top four teams, start Saturday. Buckle up. Here are your NBA Summer League predictions and preview for Friday, July 17th.
NBA Summer League Predictions & Preview for Friday, July 17th
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat
Start Time – 9:00 PM EST
The Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat will not be among the four teams vying for the Vegas championship come this weekend. The Pistons went 1-3 in their four regular-season games; the Heat sit at 1-2 heading into action on Thursday night.
However, Miami has clearly been the better team, at least in terms of point differential (watch them get blown out on Thursday after I wrote this). Let’s go with the no-name Heat to end the tournament with a W.
Best Bet: Miami +1.5 (-110)
Portland Trail Blazers vs Utah Jazz
Start Time – 10:30 PM EST
A 1-3 record in Vegas surely was not what the Utah Jazz were hoping for this summer in the desert. And while their #2 overall draft pick, Darryn Peterson, has led them in scoring (20.7 ppg) and assists (4.0 apg), he’s shot terribly (31%) and has more turnovers than assists.
Plus, the Jazz’s last two losses have been ugly, both double-digit defeats. Which makes my play on the Portland Trail Blazers plus the points on the spread look mighty good. D.J. Steward! Yang Hansen! Let’s go Blazers!
Best Bet: Portland +2.5 (-110)
SGPN Daily Content for July 17th, 2026
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