Just five days of Summer League action are left across the NBA. However, there’s still several enticing matchups for hoops fans to dig into. That includes Thunder vs. Magic, set for 6:30 p.m. EST tonight in Vegas. What kind of young talent will be on display for the defending champs? Can first-round pick Jase Richardson lead Orlando to an upset win?
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Thunder as four-point favorites and -142 on the moneyline. The Orlando Magic are at +154 odds on the moneyline, and the game total is set at 177. Let’s break down both Summer League squads, players to watch, and a pick for the contest.
Thunder vs. Magic preview, prediction
The anticipation for this matchup would be on another level if this were the regular season. Still, both squads have some intriguing young talent set to take the court on Tuesday. For OKC, the name worth watching is Nikola Topic. Selected with pick #12 in 2024, the guard spent all of last season recovering from a torn ACL. Through two games in Vegas, the Serbian is averaging 12.5 points and 8.0 assists while shooting 42.9% from three-point range. It’s a small sample size, but that’s the exact kind of production Thunder fans are hoping to see from the 19-year-old.
Topic isn’t the only early standout for Oklahoma City. South Florida alum Chris Youngblood has been a force, averaging 20.0 points per game on 63.6% shooting. Second-round pick Brooks Barnhizer has also been a pleasant surprise, offering quality play on both ends of the court. Last time out, the Northwestern product delivered 17 points, five rebounds and six steals against the Pacers. Unsurprisingly, the defensively-minded Thunder have held their opponents to just 83.0 points per game.
OKC isn’t the only squad with a young, dynamic guard. Jase Richardson has impressed this summer, carrying a heavy scoring load for the offensively-limited Magic. Over two appearances, the Michigan State alum has dropped 16.5 points while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the field. Last season’s first round pick, Tristan Da Silva, has also looked sharp (18.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG). Still, Orlando is averaging just 83.5 points per game, the association’s fourth-lowest mark. Finding reliable secondary scorers will be key to the team’s chances of pulling out a win tonight.
Thunder vs. Magic Pick, Best Bet
Even if it’s the Summer League, it’s difficult to fade the defending champions. After all, the Thunder have built their team on finding and developing young talent. If anyone knows how to find diamonds in the rough, it’s general manager Sam Presti. So far, Oklahoma City owns the NBA’s second-best plus-minus (+14.0). The same can’t be said for the Magic, currently at a -3.0 +/-. For a group of youngsters known more as defenders than playmakers, Tuesday’s matchup isn’t ideal. The Thunder specialize at neutralizing primary scorers, turning games into a slog for opposing offenses. Can anyone else on Orlando’s roster other than Da Silva and Richardson step up tonight? I wouldn’t count on it.
