After an entertaining weekend of Summer League action, we turn our attention to a loaded Monday slate that includes 6 games. Our team has players to watch and a best bet for all 6 games. Who does it better than us?
What to Watch for from the Thunder:
The Thunder were outplayed in their Vegas debut against the Raptors, falling behind by 20 points after the first quarter in Cox Pavilion. While California Classic players such as Ousmane Dieng and Jack Gohlke didn’t touch the floor in this game, rookie 1st rounder Dillon Jones and longtime Baylor guard Adam Flagler led the way, combining for 40 of the Thunder’s 69 total points.
Looking ahead to Monday, Cormanc Ryan and Ajay Mitchell are two wings I’m looking to have bigger impacts for the Thunder especially due to their 3 & D ability that the Thunder are looking to pair with Dillon Jones coming out of this summer class.
What to Watch for from the Heat:
Jaime Jaquez Jr. dropped 29 points on 18 FGA in Miami’s 119-114 victory over the Celtics in their Vegas’ debut. After attending summer league for about a decade now, I’d be shocked if Triple J plays on Monday night against the Thunder as he has absolutely nothing to prove after a great performance on Saturday with already tired legs from Team USA training in Vegas a week ago.
Looking to the other “Summer Heat”, the undrafted forward Keshad Johnson made a ton of noise in the California Classic and that continued with a 10-point, 5 rebound performance on Saturday night. Johnson has Aaron Gordon-like athleticism and as for the former Arizona Wildcat, “McKale North” is a place he dominates. Keshad should play over 25 minutes which is more than enough to put together a near double-double.
Their 15th overall selection Kel’el Ware will look to make an impact in the paint after an efficient 17 point, 3 block performance in his first game. A sleeper? Another Wildcat - Pelle Larsson didn’t play very well in his Vegas debut, but the do-it-all wing is a solid bet to fill up the stat sheet for a Heat squad that doesn’t run extremely deep.
Best Bet: Miami Moneyline
Player to Watch: Keshad Johnson
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What to Watch for from the Pistons:
Detroit lost to the 76ers in Thomas & Mack on Saturday night with Philly outscoring the young Pistons by 12 in the final quarter. Their two rookie wing sensations, Ron Holland II and Bobi Klintman, accounted for 28 points, 12 boards, and 7 dimes while sporting the best +/- on the squad.
Detroit will look to get more help from Marcus Sasser who scored just one point in their last game after having a massive 2nd half of the regular season for the Pistons last season.
What to Watch for from the Rockets:
Reed Sheppard is extremely good at basketball. After watching Sheppard on Sunday afternoon against the Wizards, I think myself alongside the crowd in T&M could agree that the 3rd overall pick is well past competing for minutes during Summer League. Shep has averaged 22.5 PPG on 45% 3PT shooting alongside 6 dimes and 5 boards in his two games during the last three days.
One concern for Rocket fans and bettors though - we might be seeing a very different version of this team on Monday night as their key guys will get some rest. Expect Whitmore and Sheppard to play less minutes while Kira Lewis Jr. and A.J. Griffin might get more ball handling duties against Detroit.
Best Bet: Under 180.5
Players to Watch: Reed Sheppard and Ron Holland II
What to Watch for from the Trail Blazers:
Another great aspect of Summer League is walking side by side with the NBA’s next stars. Making my way from the strip to Thomas & Mack Center for the games this weekend, standing right beside me in Wynn was Donovan Clingan. Clingan is 7’2 on a bad day, and that’s all muscle.
Clingan will look to redeem himself after a lackluster game one where he scored 4 points on a -16 +/-. The highlight? He had 13 boards alongside 5 blocks in just 27 minutes.
Portland will look to their 2023 first rounder Kris Murray to control the offense this game after some great flashes in his Vegas 2024 debut. Murray reportedly bulked up nearly 10 pounds since his last time in Vegas, making himself a threat as a cutter.
Kennedy Chandler and Bryce McGowens are two other guards that Portland should look to for scoring on Monday night.
What to Watch for from the 76ers:
Jared McCain had a solid performance in the California Classic, but failed to give the same type of performance in Vegas. He had 11 points on 14 attempts against the Pistons, but the 76ers scoring was led by electric guard Ricky Council IV and mid-range assassin Jeff Dowtin Jr. who hit some ridiculous shots from the baselines.
After playing a good amount of games in the last week, look for Judah Mintz out of Syracuse and R.J. Hampton to get involved early on against Portland.
Best Bet: Portland +6.5
Players to Watch: Kris Murray and Jared McCain
What to Watch for from the Jazz:
Utah beat Dallas by just one point in their Vegas debut game on Saturday behind a Cody Williams breakout game with 21 points on 15 shots. While Walker Kessler and Keyonte George are shut down for the summer, second-year wings Brice Sensabaugh and Taylor Hendricks will have increased offensive opportunities in this matchup against the Kings.
Rookie guard Isaiah Collier’s change of pace in transition is a match made in heaven for Summer League. Expect him to play 25+ minutes and lead his team to victory once again.
What to Watch for from the Thunder:
After going down 20 at halftime to Memphis in Friday night’s game, Sacramento simply didn’t have enough firepower to come back in that game. On Monday night, they will look to playoff contributor Keon Ellis to run this offensive more fluidly as SL moves along. Ellis had 5 turnovers and 4 fouls in his first Vegas game, which will have to be fixed quickly if Sacramento has a chance to win this game.
Louisiana Tech’s Isaiah Crawford played just 10 minutes a few nights ago, but as an incredible 3 & D player with the burst to get by slower defenders, he’s the player you should watch out for to fill up the stat sheet.
Best Bet: Utah -3.5
Players to Watch: Taylor Hendricks and Isaiah Crawford
Best Bet: Over 181.5
Player to Watch: Melvin Ajinca
Best Bet: Boston Moneyline
Players to Watch: Jaden Springer and Dalton Knecht