NBA Summer League Best Bets Thursday 7/14/22 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The NBA Summer League continues to roll on Thursday with seven games across the board. With a huge number of young players still looking to make their name Thursday will be a loaded day of action in the NBA.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics, MEM -5 ; O/U 179.5

The Memphis Grizzlies come into Thursday for their fourth game of the summer with a 2-1 record overall after a 36 point blowout of the Brooklyn Nets. Defensively Memphis was dominant holding Brooklyn to 38.7% shooting on and 24% from beyond the arc to score only 84 points in the game. The Memphis offense shined as well making 59% of their shots and 50% from beyond the arc, while Santi Aldama led the way for Memphis with 31 points. The Boston Celtics come into Thursday also 2-1 this summer following an 11 point win over Golden State. Offensively Boston controlled the game making 45.1% of their shots to score 103 total points in the game. Justin Jackson led the way for Boston with 24 points on 9/14 from the floor. Memphis has the slightly deeper roster and a lot more hunger coming into Thursday. Look for Memphis to do enough in this game to get the win and cover on Thursday.

Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -5

Atlanta Hawks vs. San Antonio Spurs, SAS -1.5 ; O/U 173.5

The Atlanta Hawks come into game four of their summer league on Thursday 1-2 overall after a 95-88 win over the Miami Heat. The Atlanta defense was dominant holding Miami to 37.1% shooting and forced 11 turnovers in the victory. Offensively Atlanta showed promise as well making 53.6% of their shots in 44.4% from beyond the arc. Tyrese Martin shined for the Hawks pouring in a tam high 21 points on 14 shots. The Spurs come into Thursday 0-3 this summer after a 13 point loss to the Rockets last game out. Offensively San Antonio was terrible making 37.2% of their shots in 34.4% from beyond the arc, while turning the ball over 26 times in route to the loss. The Atlanta Hawks are the better team in this matchup, and it will show from the opening tip on Thursday. Look for Atlanta to use their depth and talent to hand San Antonio their fourth loss of the season.

Pick: Atlanta Hawks +1.5

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, DET -3 ; O/U 177.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 1-2 this summer after an 8 point loss last game to the Denver Nuggets. Offensively Cleveland struggled shooting only 42.2% from the floor and 27.3% from beyond the arc, while turning the ball over 15 times resulting in the loss. RJ Nembhard Jr. was the only bright spot in the Cleveland offense with 19 points on seven of 13 shooting. The Detroit Pistons come into Thursday having found their way this summer carrying a 2-1 record overall after a six point win against the Washington Wizards. Detroit was outstanding on the offensive side of the ball making 55% of their shots in 48.3% from beyond the arc to score 105 points in the game. Isaiah Livers led the way for Detroit with twenty points on five of eight shooting in 30 minutes on the floor. Detroit is the better team in this matchup with a lot of young talent on their roster. Look for the young studs of Detroit to carry the load leading to the wind on Thursday.

Pick: Detroit Pistons -3

Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets, CHA -4 ; O/U 173.5

The Bulls head into game 4 of this summer 2-1 overall following a double digit victory over Toronto on Tuesday. The Chicago offense was the difference against Toronto as the Bulls made 55% of their shots to score 93 points in the game including 52 in the first half. Carlik Jones led the way for Chicago with 17 points as one of five bulls in double figures. The Hornets are 2-1 this summer following a 96-84 loss to Indiana. Offensively Charlotte was abysmal shooting 40.5% from the floor and 22.6% from beyond the arc, while turning the ball over 18 times in the last. Bryce McGowens carried the load for Charlotte posting a team high 17 points in 31 minutes. Both teams come into Thursday playing well this summer and each has a strong offense. Look for both offenses to shine on Thursday as the total will go over when the Bulls take on the Hornets.

Pick: Over 173.5

New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic, NYK -4.5 ; O/U 173.5

The New York Knicks fell to 2-1 this summer after an 88-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game. New York was terrible on the offensive side of the ball making only 38.2% of their shots in 26.8% from beyond the arc, while turning the ball over 12 times. Despite a poor offensive showing Quentin Grimes played extremely well for New York with a team high 24 points. The Orlando Magic are 2-1 on the summer following their first loss last game out. Offensively Orlando was stagnant without their number one overall pick shooting only 36.4% from the floor to score 81 points in the game. Justin James led the way for Orlando with 16 points and Tommy Kuhse chipped in with 14 points as well. The Orlando Magic struggled immensely in their last game without Paolo Banchero and that trend will continue Thursday. Look for New York to do enough with the more talented roster to get the win and cover in game four of the summer league.

Pick: NYK -4.5

Dallas Mavericks vs Milwaukee Bucks, MIL -2.5 ; O/U 182.5

The Dallas Mavericks come  into game four of the summer on Thursday winless following a 27 point blowout loss against the Phoenix Suns. Offensively Dallas was terrible making only 33.8% of their shots to score 78 total points including 25 in the 1st half. Jerrick Harding was the only bright spot for Dallas posting a team high 20 points in 23 minutes off the bench. The Milwaukee Bucks come into Thursday 2-1 this summer following a two point loss to the Boston Celtics last game out. Defensively Milwaukee struggled as Boston made 48.7% of their shots to score 111 points in the game including 59 in the second half. Sandro Mamukelashvili carried the Milwaukee offense pouring in a team high 28 points and nine rebounds. Milwaukee is by far the better team in this game as Dallas has been one of the worst teams all summer. Look for Milwaukee to control this game from the opening tip as they will coast to another summer league win.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -2.5

Portland Trailblazers vs. Houston Rockets, POR -1 ; O/U 172.5

The Portland Trailblazers are 2-1 this summer after handing the New York Knicks their first loss by a score of 88-77 last came out. Offensively Portland started the game slow scoring only 37 points in the first half including 9 in the first quarter but poured in 51 second half points leading to the win. Trendon Watford scored 18 points for Portland, while Jabari Walker scored 16 points to go with  13 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are 2-1 this summer following a 13 point blowout win of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. The Houston offense was on full display as the Rockets made 43.8% of their shots and 40% from beyond the arc to score 97 total points in the game. Both teams have strong offenses that will shine on Thursday. Look for scoring in bunches between two young talented teams. Take the over on Thursday as the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Houston Rockets.

Pick: Portland Trail Blazers/Houston Rockets Over 172.5

Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, BKN -4 ; O/U 171.5

The Brooklyn Nets limp into game 4 of the summer 1-2 overall after a blowout loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Brooklyn offense was stuck in the mud against Memphis making only 38.7% of their shots and 24% from beyond the arc to score 84 points in the game. Cam Thomas was the only bright spot for Brooklyn with 29 points on 9 of 19 shooting. The Minnesota Timberwolves are 1-2 this summer following a seven point loss to Memphis last game out. Defensively Minnesota played well holding Memphis to 36.4% shooting, but the Minnesota offense struggled immensely making only 34.8% of their shots. Kevon Harris was the only positive in the Minnesota lineup with a team high 17 points as the only player in double figures. Both teams come into Thursday struggling as each have their offense in neutral. Look for another offensive struggle between two bad teams as the total will go under on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Pick: Brooklyn Nets/Minnesota Timberwolves Under 171.5