Times have truly changed at NBA Summer League, from the awe-inspiring sight of sitting just five rows up, witnessing Steph Curry's remarkable three-point shooting in a practice uniform, to the experience of hearing a sold-out crowd erupt with excitement as Lonzo Ball secures his triple-double.
With all the big names in Las Vegas for this ten day event, it’s time for you to join us in the Vegas heat via PrizePicks. As the first batch of games begin today, there are a few key bets to place including your first on future superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Scoot Henderson
Portland Trail Blazers | OVER 15.5 PTS | POR vs HOU (7 PM EST)
The 3rd overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft suits up against an exciting Rocket team. While Houston might have more starpower on the court today, don’t forget that the Trail Blazers won Summer League last season behind some tenacious defense and the high-end basketball IQ of Jabari Walker and Trendon Watford. While the squad will look a bit different this season, expect Scoot to tear it up in a city he’s comfortable with.
Why we like Scoot to go over his points prop
While Shaedon Sharpe might take control of this game early, Henderson has that chip on his shoulder from falling to 3rd overall on draft night. The hardest working, most explosive guard from this draft class, I expect him to outperform fellow top 5 pick Amen Thompson on the offensive end and use PnR actions to find scoring opportunities in the lane. Smaller guards that have athleticism and high basketball IQ find a way to thrive in NBA Summer League. Expect nothing less from Scoot.
Malaki Branham
San Antonio Spurs | OVER 16.0 PTS | SAS vs CHA (9 PM EST)
Branham held a small bench role for the Spurs this past season. In his California Classic game a few nights ago, he showed signs of taking the leap to become a solid bench scorer dropping a 30-bomb. While the Hornets lack elite wing defenders and have struggled thus far in Summer League, Branham and the Spurs could leave them in the dust early.
Why we expect Branham to go over his points prop
Malaki will look to create himself but also take a few spot up threes. As the elite shooter on this Spurs summer roster, expect Blake Wesley and Victor Wembanyama to play off of the former Ohio State wing early on in this matchup. Averaging just 30% from beyond the arc last season with San Antonio, expect some plays drawn up for Branham where Wemby finds him at the 3-point-line as that 30% mark needs a huge upgrade heading into next season.
Jalen Hood-Schifino
Los Angeles Lakers | UNDER 16.5 PTS
Hood-Schifino struggled shooting the rock in his first few summer games in Salt Lake City. While that has the ability to change in Vegas, the Golden State Warriors are fresh off a batch of matchups in Sacramento and therefore I expect this game to be lower scoring.
Why Hood-Schifino will stay under his points prop
The Vegas Summer League is different from the exhibition games in Utah and Sacramento. This is where players that didn’t get their stardom last season shine, or unexpected Summer League veterans come to play on both ends. Schifino showed some tentativeness at Indiana when driving the ball including a poor 3-point-shooting season outside of a monster game against Purdue in Big Ten play. Today, expect Max Cristie to handle the rock and look to score for himself as Hood-Schifino drops into that secondary playmaker role.
Tari Eason
Houston Rockets | OVER 16.0 PTS | HOU vs POR (7 PM EST)
Named to the 2022 All-Summer League First Team after a stellar performance in Las Vegas, Tari averaged 17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 44.7% from the field in the team’s five matchups. While the Rockets have added some wing talent through the draft and guard Amen Thompson should have primary ball handling duties, Tari is an explosive athlete that should score in batches today.
Why Eason will go over his points prop on Friday
It is difficult to downplay how well Eason played last season in Vegas. From answering questions about his offensive abilities to displaying solid wing defense against fellow 1st rounders, a 1st team selection was well deserving. Heading the lineup of an ultra-talented Summer League squad in the Rockets, expect “veteran” leadership to play a role today. Eason is poised to take control of the game and make a meaningful impact offensively when Thompson and Whitmore start struggling from the field.
Peyton Watson - Over 15.5 Points
With the Nuggets unable to bring back Bruce Brown after the Pacers offered him a heavy contract this offseason, the next-up mentality is starting to kick in for Malone, Jokic, and the reigning NBA Champions. While Christian Braun is due to get more playing time, Peyton Watson is a young Nugget who needs to have a solid summer in order to fight his way into the rotation as the 3rd or 4th option at SF or PF.
Why Watson will go over 15.5 points on Friday
Opportunity. Opportunity. Opportunity. Watson will have the ball in his hands for a majority of the game while rookies such as Julian Strawther and Hunter Tyson will primarily act as spot up shooters and cutters in Game 1. While this doesn’t present amazing value for Watson on PrizePicks, this is purely an opportunity driven bet. Also, the 2022 draftee averaged over 20 points in seven G-League games last season so you know, this kid can score the rock.
Blake Wesley - Over Assists
Sort of a bonus bet in our book, if Blake Wesley’s assists prop opens up later today on PrizePicks, pounce on it while you can. The 2nd year guard out of Notre Dame is due for a larger role and I’m projecting him to become a 13 PPG, 5 APG player with this Spurs organization in the future. With elite ball-in-hand speed and a pretty floater game, expect him to utilize Wemby and Branham to get over the assist total PrizePicks present for him today.
Why take Wesley to go over his assists number tonight?
Averaging 17 PPG and 4 APG in Vegas last season, Wesley became more of a playmaker in his two Salt Lake City appearances, dropping 6 APG for the highly talented Spurs team. With the addition of Wembanyama to today’s squad, Wesley will use his PnR navigation and speed to distract defenders as Wemby frees up down low or one of San Antonio’s many shooters hits a trey ball.
Victor Wembanyama - Over 18.5 Points
Here he is. The man that has made Day 1 Summer League tickets skyrocket to $100+. The man that could change the game of basketball today. The man that we are betting on to score 20+ points the first time he steps onto an NBA court.
Why take Wemby over his points total tonight
Without gameplanning for Wembanyama, it’s hard to believe that this Charlotte team, that struggled immensely in their two other Summer League games, limits this Spurs team to under 90 points today. Surrounded by multi-year Summer League players in Wesley, Branham, and Julian Champagnie, the Spurs should run wild on the Hornets today and Wembanyama will get some easy buckets due to the attention these Spurs playmakers will demand.
While I’m unsure we will see Victor in a Spur uniform after today until the start of the NBA season, take your money and place it on a future Hall of Famer. Yes, the Wembanyama hype is real and his journey to superstardom begins today in Las Vegas, Nevada.
