The NBA Summer League gets underway with games in Sacramento and Salt Lake City this evening. The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers kick things off in the California Classic at 6 p.m. (ET). There are three games at the Golden 1 Center tonight and three on July 5. The other teams competing in the California Classic are the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Charlotte Hornets. The Kings are the defending champions of the event.
NBA Summer League: Predictions, Odds, and Preview For California Classic (July 3)
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2
The first game of the 2023 NBA Summer League features two teams that made semi-surprising runs this past postseason. Miami became the second No.8 seed in league history to make the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, LA was meddling in 13th place in the Western Conference before going 19-9 down the stretch, which included defeating Minnesota in the 7-8 play-in game.
Heat assistant Caron Butler will coach Miami. Butler will have 11 players at his disposal, including the Heat’s recent first-round pick Jaime Jaquez. The Heat‘s 2022 first-round selection Nikola Jovic will also play for the team—as well as veterans Orlando Robinson and Jamal Cain. Robinson just learned that he will be on Miami’s 15-man roster this season, while Cain has a two-way deal with the organization. Drew Peterson, Caleb Daniels, Taylor Funk, and Justin Powell are other players to keep an eye on for the Heat.
Los Angeles will be led by player development coach JD DuBois, who was in charge of the 2021 Detroit Pistons Summer League squad. The Lakers have one of the more interesting Summer League Clubs. The Lakers feature 2022 SL sensation Cole Swider and 2023 first-round selection Jalen Hood Schifino. 2023 second-round pick Maxwell Lewis, Scotty Pippen Jr., 2022 first-round pick Max Christie, and 2023 undrafted rookie Colin Castleton are other Lakers to watch.
The Lakers are -3.0 point favorites. The Over/Under is set at 159.5. The Lakers are -155 on the money line, and the Heat are +135.
Best Bet: Lakers -3 (-110).
Lean: Over 159.5 points
San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
The second game of the California Classic features two of the worst teams in the NBA this past season. San Antonio and Charlotte combined for 49 wins. The Spurs tied Houston for the second fewest victories (22) in the league, while the Hornets had the fourth fewest with 27. As a result, the Spurs won the 2023 draft lottery (Victor Wembanyama), and the Hornets moved up to No. 2 (Brandon Miller). Wembabyama won’t play in the California Classic.
San Antonio assistant Matt Nielson will lead the Spurs Summer League and guest coach Thomas Crarey II (Thomas University). The Spurs’ 16-man roster features several players that suited up for the team in the NBA last season, including Blake Wesley, Malaki Branham, and Julian Champagnie. 2023 second-round pick Sidy Cissoko and Chaundree Brown, Dominick Barlow, and Charles Bediako are other players to watch.
Charlotte assistant Marlon Garnett will coach the Summer League squad. Miller leads the notable players, while fellow draft picks Nick Smith Jr., Amari Bailey, and James Nnaji will also participate. James Bouknight and Kai Jones make the semi-rare third trip to Summer League, and Bryce McGowens joins them for his second trip. Kobi Simmons is on a non-guaranteed deal for 23-24, and Xavier Sneed was on a Two-Way at the end of last season; both will be on the roster.
Charlotte is a -5-point favorite. The Over/Under is set at 165.5. The Hornets are listed at -250 on the money line, and the Spurs at -210.
Best Bets: Hornets -5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
The last game of the night at the Golden 1 Center features the rematch of the Western Conference opening round. Golden State defeated Sacramento in seven games before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. Meanwhile, this past postseason appearance was Sacramento’s first since 2005-06.
Golden State will feature a 14-player roster in Sacramento. 2023 draft picks Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis headline the club. Lester Quinonos and Gui Santos are other Warrior players to watch.
Assistant Luke Loucks will lead Sacramento in the Summer League. The Kings will have 2022 Summer League MVP Keegan Murray once again. Kessler Edwards, Keon Ellis, and Neemias Queta are other returnees. Meanwhile, second-round draft picks Colby Jones and Jalen Slawson are also on the roster.
Sacramento is a -5.5 point favorite. The Over/Under is set at 164.5. Meanwhile, the Kings are -23o on the money line, and the Warriors are +195.
