While the California Classic is closing out its two-day event tonight, the Salt Lake City Summer League still has another day to go. Day 1 at the Delta Center was fantastic. The Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers kicked off the event on Monday with a sterling game, where the Griz came out on top by two points.
summer dub. #HotGrizzSummer pic.twitter.com/0zk5PM8sFO
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 4, 2023
NBA Summer League: Salt Lake City Summer League Preview, Odds, and Prediction for July 5
However, the second game was not nearly as exciting. As the Oklahoma City Thunder breezed past the Utah Jazz 95-85.
Tonight, Memphis (1-0) faces Oklahoma City (1-0) in the first game at 7 p.m. ET. Thus, Utah (0-1) will meet Philadelphia (0-1) in the nightcap.
Memphis Grizzlies (1-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0), 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Trailing by 10 with 8:48 remaining, Memphis outscored Philadelphia 27-15 the rest of the way to secure the win. David Roddy made two huge plays down the stretch for the Grizzlies. The 2022 first-rounder’s driving layup with nine seconds remaining gave Memphis a 93-92 lead. Roddy, who finished with 18 points while draining four treys, then blocked the Sixers’ Louis King‘s 3-pointer to secure the victory.
"Junior down the stretch, big buckets."
Coach Vitaly Potapenko looks back at Monday's win over the 76ers with @mymikecheck pic.twitter.com/HU5RhHq6NW
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 5, 2023
Kenneth Lofton Jr., who captured King’s miss, posted another Summer League double-double with 21 points, 13 boards, and four assists. Vince Williams Jr., who is on a two-way contract, drained five triples to end with 19 points and seven boards. Meanwhile, Jacob Gilyard, also on a two-way deal, totaled six points, seven assists, and three steals. The Griz’s 2023 second-round choice GG Jackson dazzled with his athleticism. Jackson finished with 10 points and two blocks.
Memphis shot just 38% from the field versus Philadelphia. However, 16 of the Grizzlies’ 30 field goals were from beyond the arc. While they committed 21 turnovers, the Griz dominated the glass, outrebounding the Sixers by 11.
Oklahoma City had a much easier time with Utah. OKC led most of the game, taking control at 5:30 in the opening stanza and never looking back. The Thunder and the Jazz made the same amount of field goals (34) despite the Jazz attempting 11 more field goal attempts. But the Thunder knocked down 13 threes and converted 14 of 20 free throws.
Jalen Williams, an 2022-23 NBA all-rookie selection, led the way for the Thunder with 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting and three treys. Tre Mann contributed 21 points, while Chet Holmgren was impressive in his first action since last summer, tallying 15 points, nine boards, and four blocks. As usual, Jaylin Williams was fantastic on the backboard, while Jaden Shackleford and Jared Butler had nice games. However, Ousmane Dieng struggled mightily from the field (1-11 fg, 1-5 3pt).
Utah Jazz (0-1) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (0-1), 9 p.m. ET, NBA TV
One thing that is someone will pick up its first win and remain in contention for the SLC Summer League championship.
Philadelphia is coming off a loss to Memphis after blowing a 10-point loss. The 76ers outshot the Grizzlies 42.1% to 38%. The Sixers also forced 21 turnovers compared to and committed 15. However, they permitted the Grizzlies to make 16 threes, were outrebounded by 11, and missed 10 free throws.
While Jaden Springer and King were very inefficient, the 76ers’ rookies had strong showings. Undrafted rookie Terquavion Smith, who is on a two-way contract, led the way for the 76ers with 18 points and three assists. Ricky Council IV, also on a two-way deal, and Filip Petrusev, the Sixers’ 2021 second-round pick, combined for 20 points and 12 rebounds. Petrusev also added two assists and one block though the big man had trouble with fouls.
DJ Steward and Javonte Smart had big showings off the bench. Steward tallied 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including 3 of 5 from the 3-point line, four rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes. Smart finished with 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting and four dimes.
In their opening game, Utah couldn’t recover from a poor second quarter, but they did try. Trailing by 20 heading into the fourth, the Jazz outscored the Grizzlies 23-13 in the final stanza. The Jazz shot the ball poorly on all three levels, compiling a slash line of .382/.265/.571. They also committed 28 fouls.
2023 first-round selection Keyontae George had a great pro debut for the Jazz. George tallied a team-high 18 points on 7 of 16 shooting. George also posted five boards, four assists, and three steals. 2022 first-rounder Ochai Ogbaji struggled from the field though he finished with 17 points, three threes, and nine caroms. Micah Potter, on a two-way contract with the Jazz, had a decent all-around game. Luka Samanic and Vernon Carey Jr., both on nonguaranteed deals, shot the ball poorly, but each reached double-figures.
Odds and Predictions
In the first game of the evening, Oklahoma City is a 5.5-point favorite over Memphis. The Over/Under is set at 180. The Thunder are -225 on the moneyline, while the Grizzlies are +190.
Meanwhile, Utah is a 2.5-point favorite over Philadelphia. The Over/Under is at 176. The Jazz are -145 on the moneyline, while the 76ers are +145.
G1 Best Bets: Memphis +5.5 (-110)
G2 Best Bets: Philadelphia to win +125. Over 176 Points (-110).
2-leg Parlay: 76ers ML and Grizzlies ATS (+326)
The odds are from Draftkings.
