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. In today’s batch of games, there’s a few over/under point totals to lock in, including some 2nd year players looking to make their mark on the premier summer basketball event.
Jordan Hawkins Over 16.5 Points
Hawkins is averaging a respectable 16 PPG on a less than respectable 25% shooting from beyond the arc. With four key contributors on this Pelicans team including Seabron, Daniels, and Liddell, Jordan’s 3-point-shooting and ability to draw fouls inside the paint are his keys today against Phoenix to reach the 17 point mark.
Why We Think Hawkins Goes Over 16.5 Points:
Expect Dyson Daniels to showcase more of his playmaking repertoire after some poor shooting performances so far in Summer League. Hawkins’ 25% free throw mark in his first two games is extremely uncharacteristic and should move up against the Suns, who don’t display a ton of star power to guard the Husky wing.
As the Pelicans are in a tricky situation deciding whether to move on from Zion Williamson after a few seasons of uncertainty with the forward, look for the coaching staff to encourage Hawkins to have a green light early on and take people off the dribble into pull-up jumpers. While Dyson Daniels will command attention in the PnR action, Hawkins will have plenty of volume as a spot up shooter today.
Toumani Camara Over 14.5 Points
This point value might jump up before gametime, but Toumani Camara has been a nice surprise for the Suns in Vegas. Leading the team in minutes, points (15.5 PPG), and rebounds, Camara has shown flashes of 3 & D ability which is needed at the wing position after the losses of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Torrey Craig in a span of about 5 months. Thanks Matt Ishbia.
Why We Think Camara Goes Over 14.5 Points:
Phoenix may have the least interesting roster in Las Vegas. While former Wizard guard Jordan Goodwin should make the team and have a small role in the backcourt, it’s difficult to see another player out of this roster getting real playing time this season. As for Camara, he fits the mold that Phoenix would need this season. A backup wing/forward who can rebound the ball and at times be efficient from 3-point-range. A bulldozer at Dayton, expect Camara to be the leading scorer for the Suns in what should be a low-scoring affair.
attention in the PnR action, Hawkins will have plenty of volume as a spot up shooter today.
Marjon Beauchamp Over 19.5 Points
On Friday, I watched Beauchamp in Thomas & Mack without much thought, excited to see Scoot and Wembanyama in their debuts. However, midway through the game against the Nuggets, I started to realize why the Bucks took him in the 1st round of last year’s draft. Upside as a shooter and solid ball-handling ability should allow Marjon to see more playing time this season. While he’s sort of a do-or-die from 3-point line type of player, look for him to string together one final 20 point game before he gets shut down.
Why We Think Beauchamp Goes Over 19.5 Points:
Sitting at 21.5 PPG, Beauchamp is starting to become more comfortable heading the offense in Summer League. With the game today against the Brooklyn Nets, I’m expecting a perimeter centric game that becomes a shootout for both sides. Without many other primary shooters on the roster, expect rookies Chris Livingston and Andre Jackson Jr. to feed Marjon late in the game, resulting in a lot of opportunity at 3-level scoring today. The G-League Ignite product is also averaging 6.5 FTA per game which leads the team. Milwaukee is looking to strengthen their bench rotation and shooting this offseason, so Beauchamp will have the green light all day.
attention in the PnR action, Hawkins will have plenty of volume as a spot up shooter today.
Tre Mann Over 18.5 Points
Expect this stacked OKC Summer League roster to put up close to 100 points against Houston today. I love the matchup for some of our 2nd or 3rd year players out there, including the flamethrowing Tre Mann. While Cason Wallace stole the show in Game 1 in Vegas, Mann strung together some incredible performances in the Salt Lake Summer League, nearly playing himself out of a rotation spot in Vegas due to how “ready” he looked.
Why We Think Mann Goes Over 18.5 Points:
Expect Mann’s usage and attempts to rise against Houston as Cason Wallace and Ousmane Dieng won’t combine for 24 FGAs again anytime soon. Without Amen Thompson on the floor for the Rockets due to the ankle injury sustained last Friday, Houston will struggle to defend all of OKC’s shotmakers leaving Mann in one-on-one situations which will lead to buckets from the 3rd year player. Tre’s minutes dropped last season after the arrival and blossom of Jalen Williams, but as a career 9 PPG NBA player, he’s licking his chops at Summer League ready to impress a packed Thomas & Mack.
attention in the PnR action, Hawkins will have plenty of volume as a spot up shooter today.
Cam Whitmore Under 20 Points
I’m a huge Cam Whitmore fan, but he’s due for a rough shooting performance sometime soon. While 2nd year forwards Jabari Smith and Tari Eason have been carrying Houston through Summer League between their 60 PPG, Whitmore has been a solid 3rd piece, scoring at a 17.5 PPG clip with fairly efficient shooting stats.
Why We Think Whitmore Goes Under 20 Points:
Although this game is due for some fireworks, I don’t love the matchup for the one-and-done out of Villanova. Jaylin Williams and Ousmane Dieng are lanky defenders who can give Cam some problems early on. With this game probably in front of a fairly sold out crew, expect “veterans” Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, Jaylin Williams, and Tre Mann to keep control of this elite Summer League matchup. Expecting Whitmore to take less than 15 shots, it’s hard for me to see him string together another 20 point game today.
James Bouknight Under 14.5 Points
Charlotte just irks me. First, they pass up on a generational talent at guard in Scoot Henderson during the 2023 NBA Draft. Now, they are giving the keys to the offense to James Bouknight and Brandon Miller and it is a sore sight on the eyes. Heading into his 3rd NBA season, James has shot 31% from the field in Vegas, averaging 12 PPG through the first two performances. With another tough matchup against the Blazers today, expect the UConn guard to struggle once again.
Why We Think Bouknight Goes Under 14.5 Points:
Between Shaedon Sharpe, Jabari Walker, and some scrappy guards, Portland has length and toughness on the floor at all times which should give Bouknight trouble. Although he’s averaging 9.0 3PA per game in the sun, his confidence level has to be low as Charlotte has looked like a D-team out there and it’s partially due to Bouknight’s inability to become a 1st round talent in today’s game. With a tough matchup at hand and Bryce McGowens becoming more of the #1 option, expect another subpar performance from the Hornets and Bouknight.
