Monday features another large slate of NBA Summer League games with seven contests scheduled. The third matchup of the day will be between the Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas notably drafted Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, while the Hornets took his Duke teammate Kon Knueppel at No. 4. Although it would be a treat to watch these two face off, the Mavericks shut down Flagg for the remainder of Summer League.
He starred in his second game, posting 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field. Knueppel is expected to play but missed the previous outing with an injury.
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Hornets as seven-point favorites and -325 on the moneyline. The Mavericks are +260 on the moneyline with the game total set at 174.5.
Hornets vs. Mavericks prediction
This could be the second chance Hornets fans get to see Knueppel in live NBA action. The No. 4 overall pick is expected to be a key contributor to a Hornets team that’s looking for some help in its rebuild.
Charlotte has been stuck at the bottom of the Eastern Conference for some years now, so any bright spots from Knueppel would be pleasant. The team is 2-0 thus far in Summer League, posting wins against the Jazz and 76ers.
Tonight would have been a tougher matchup, but Flagg won’t play. It makes the Mavericks far less intimidating, as other players will fill in for the No. 1 overall pick. That doesn’t mean the Hornets will automatically win this contest.
Charlotte will likely make an effort to involve Knueppel more often than normal because they want to see how the No. 4 pick operates against NBA-level competition. It won’t be Knueppel vs. the Mavericks, but expect the game plan to deviate slightly to incorporate the rookie more.
Knueppel played 30 minutes and shot just 1-of-8 from the field in the team’s Summer League debut against the Jazz. He’ll get more looks tonight, as the Hornets attempt to find the best spots for him.
Hornets vs. Mavericks pick, best bet
The biggest storyline is Flagg sitting out the remainder of the Summer League. It means others will fill in, which brings uncertainty for bettors.
This, however, is a good time to capitalize on the over. Flagg’s offense was excellent in his second game, but his defense shined in both outings. It’s a big reason why the Mavericks have limited opponents to such low totals.
Meanwhile, the Hornets have scored 111 and 96 in their first two games, even without Knueppel’s scoring. Take away Flagg’s defense, and Charlotte should set the pace.
Additionally, the players stepping in for Flagg are looking to take advantage of an opportunity. They’ll likely push the offense, hoping to showcase their abilities in hope to land an NBA contract.
Hammer the over.