The 2023 NBA2K24 Las Vegas Summer League’s regular season is quickly approaching. Today, July 12, marks three days before Vegas’ playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets lead the way with a 3-0 record. The Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Utah Jazz are 2-0, and each squad is in action tonight. There are eight games on tap, starting at 3:30 (ET).
Las Vegas Summer League: Preview, Predictions, Odds For July 12
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, Cox Pavilion, 3:30 p.m. (ET), NBA TV
The first matchup of the afternoon features the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. The Clippers enter the contest 1-1 n Vegas, while the Grizzlies are 3-2 this summer, 1-1 in Las Vegas. Don’t expect a lot of scoring in the contest, as both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in that category.
Los Angeles averages 89.5 points and allows 87.5 a game. The Clippers struggled offensively in their win over Sacramento but have shot well overall. However, the Clips only shoot 53.1% from the free-throw line and are not a great offensive-rebounding team. Xavier Moon, who has been on a two-way contract for the past two seasons, is playing extremely well and tops the team with 22.5 points and 3.5 threes. Jason Preston and Moussa Diabate are playing fairly well in an important summer. Rookies Jordan Miller and Kobe Brown are also players to watch.
Memphis has not scored more than 94 points in any game this summer. The Grizzlies have tallied 82 points and given up 90 a contest in Vegas. The Griz have produced a shooting slash line of .371/.305/.767. Two-way players Kenneth Lofton Jr. has been the Grizzlies’ best player this summer, and Jacob Gilyard has done a good job running the team. 2023 second-round selection GG Jackson has shown flashes, but he has struggled shooting the ball. Jake LaRavia and David Roddy have also struggled with the shot this summer.
Memphis is favored by -3.5 points. The Over/Under is set at 180.5 points. The Clippers are listed at +130 on the moneyline, while the Grizzlies are at -150.
Best Bet: Clippers +3.5 (-110)
Lean: Under 180.5 points
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks, Thomas & Mack, 4:00 p.m. (ET), ESPN2
This matchup between Minnesota and Atlanta could be very entertaining. The Timberwolves and Hawks are 1-1 in the Vegas Summer League. The Wolves defeated New Orleans (102-88) and lost to Utah (108-96). Meanwhile, the Hawks fell to Sacramento (80-76) and defeated Denver (98-93).
Atlanta has struggled shooting the ball, but their main issue has been shot selection. The Hawks have attempted 42.5 3-pointers a game in Vegas, making just 34.5% of those attempts. The Hawks, who are attempting 14.5 free throws a game, are shooting 40.9% from the field over the two games. They average 87 points and allowed 86.5 over the last two contests.
Undrafted rookie Brady Manek is the only Hawk shooting the ball well, averaging 13.5 points and 3.0 threes while connecting on 55.6% of his shots and 50% from deep. Tyrese Martin poured in 21 points against the Nuggets but struggled in the loss to the Kings. The Hawks’ last two lottery picks, Kobe Bufkin and AJ Griffin have not shot the ball well. However, Griffin has done a good job on the glass, and Bufkin has shown some playmaking chops, but turnovers have been an issue.
Minnesota is among the highest-scoring teams, producing 99.0 points a game with a slash line of .458/.239/.797. The T-Wolves are averaging 23 points from the free throw line as they have attempted 29 shots from the charity stripe, fourth most in Vegas. The Wolves are allowing 98 points per contest.
Leonard Miller, the Wolves’ 2023 second-round pick, has shined in Vegas. Miller followed up his double-double performance against the Pelicans with a 20-spot against the Jazz. The Timberwolves 2022 second-round selection Josh Minot has also shown out this summer. Meanwhile, Brandon Williams — who appeared in 24 games for Portland in 2021-22 — is making a strong case for earning an NBA training camp invitation. Williams averages 20.5 points on 51.9% shooting and five assists.
Minnesota is favored by 1.5 points. The Over/Under is set at 182.5 points. The Timberwolves are listed at -120 on the money line, and the Hawks are at +100.
Best Bet Over 182.5 points(-110)
Other Top Bets
Detroit Pistons (-4.5) Over Toronto Raptors
Indiana Pacers (-105) Moneyline Over Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic (-120) Moneyline Over New York Knicks
Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets Over 184.5 Points
Los Angeles Lakers (-3.5) Over Boston Celtics
