Chicago Bulls vs Memphis Grizzlies Prediction: NBA Summer League Odds, Stats and Best Bet
Caleb Wilson makes his long-awaited pro debut against close friend Cameron Boozer as the Bulls and Grizzlies clash in Las Vegas Summer League action.
The NBA Summer League has taken over Las Vegas, and Thursday night’s slate at Thomas & Mack Center features one of the most anticipated draft-class showdowns of the week when the Chicago Bulls face the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s worth remembering exactly what these rosters are: Summer League squads built around rookies, second-year players and fringe roster hopefuls wearing standard NBA franchise jerseys, not the full-strength teams fans will see in October. Still, this particular matchup carries real intrigue, pairing North Carolina product Caleb Wilson against his close friend and Tobacco Road rival Cameron Boozer of Duke in each player’s first head-to-head appearance as pros.
Chicago enters as the team still searching for its footing under new head coach Tiago Splitter, who takes over Summer League duties after replacing Billy Donovan in June. This is the Bulls’ first game of the Las Vegas portion of Summer League, and it doubles as the long-awaited pro debut for Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick, who hasn’t played competitive basketball since fracturing his thumb in early February. Memphis, meanwhile, has already been on the floor in Las Vegas and enters with serious momentum after a dominant showing in the Salt Lake City Summer League, where the Grizzlies blew out the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-74 behind a strong debut from Boozer.
Why Vegas Oddsmakers Are Backing Memphis Early
The betting market has moved decisively toward the Grizzlies for this one, with Memphis sitting as a 6.5-point favorite and the moneyline pricing them as a heavy chalk play. The total sits at 183.5, a fairly standard Summer League number given the abbreviated 10-minute quarters and the uneven rotations coaches use to manage playing time. Bettors have leaned into Memphis largely because the Grizzlies already have game reps under their belt, having played a tune-up slate in Salt Lake City before arriving in Las Vegas, while Chicago is making its 2026 Summer League debut cold. Anyone tracking these Summer League lines closely will want a reliable book in their corner, and a DraftKings promo code is worth checking out before placing a first wager on the event.
Caleb Wilson’s Long-Awaited Debut Headlines a Loaded Bulls Roster
Wilson, the 6-foot-10 forward the Bulls selected with the No. 4 overall pick, has been out of action since he broke his thumb in March, an injury that ended his freshman season at North Carolina before he could return for NCAA Tournament play. He told local media after the draft that he’s back to full strength, but Chicago is expected to manage his workload carefully in his first taste of professional basketball. Wilson won’t be doing it alone — fellow rookie Dailyn Swain, the No. 15 overall pick out of Texas, gives the Bulls a second first-round name to build around, while Kennedy Chandler and Boo Buie add veteran stability in the backcourt. Splitter’s Portland teams ranked ninth in pace last season, and expect Chicago to push tempo in Vegas to get its young wings comfortable in transition, an area where Wilson has shown real promise dating back to his UNC days.
Memphis counters with arguably the most talented roster in the field. Boozer, the reigning National Player of the Year at Duke, ranked third in win shares among college freshmen over the past 25 years, trailing only Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. He opened Summer League with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists on 7-of-11 shooting in the Grizzlies’ blowout of Oklahoma City, and DraftKings has installed Memphis as a co-favorite (+900) to win the entire Las Vegas tournament. The Grizzlies also bring No. 11 overall pick from a year ago, Cedric Coward, who earned All-Rookie honors after averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a rookie and is currently a co-favorite for Summer League MVP at +1000. Add in Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Taylor Hendricks and Javon Small, and Memphis simply has more proven production on the floor than a Bulls roster still waiting on its top pick to shake off the rust.
The head-to-head between Wilson and Boozer is the story everyone in the building will be watching, but it’s worth noting Memphis has already shown it can win comfortably without needing a huge night from its headliner — Prosper’s 17 points and a game-high plus-38 led the Grizzlies past Oklahoma City, showing real roster depth beyond the No. 3 overall pick. For bettors weighing futures on the tournament winner alongside single-game props, a FanDuel promo code and a BetMGM promo code both offer entry points into the market at competitive prices this week.
| Fri, Oct 30 • 7:40 PM | Spread | Money | Total |
| Chicago Bulls |  +11.5 (-110) | +425 | O 232.5 (-110) |
| Boston Celtics | -11.5 (-110) | -575 | U 232.5 (-110) |
Prediction and Best Bet
Memphis simply has the deeper, more experienced group heading into this one, and Chicago is walking into its first game of the week with its most important player working off significant rust. The Grizzlies’ balanced scoring punch, paired with the game reps they already have from Salt Lake City, should be enough to control the pace and pull away in the second half.
Other Game Picks
- Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies 88, Chicago Bulls 78
- Best Bet: Memphis Grizzlies on the spread (-6.5)
Backing Memphis to cover feels like the safer path here rather than laying the heavier moneyline price, since Summer League games can get sloppy late once rotations empty out, but the Grizzlies’ talent and continuity edge should be plenty to keep this one comfortably in their favor from start to finish. Bettors looking to shop around for the best number on this spread can compare offerings through the sportsbooks hub before locking in a play.