As the Summer League quickly comes to a close, hoops fans will be treated to a marquee matchup. Granted, Mavericks-76ers lacks some intrigue with Cooper Flagg expected to sit out tonight. However, both of these squads aren’t lacking in young talent. For Philly, third overall pick VJ Edgecombe is one of the association’s most promising rookies. Dallas has several intriguing prospects that could crack its opening night rotation. Ahead of Wednesday’s 8:00 p.m. EST start, which side is poised for a victory in Vegas?
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the 76ers as 6.5-point favorites and -285 on the moneyline. The Dallas Mavericks are at +230 odds on the moneyline, and the game total is set at 169 points. Let’s break down both Summer League squads, players to watch, and a pick for the contest.
Mavericks vs. 76ers preview, prediction
Obviously, the Mavericks look a lot different without Flagg in their starting lineup. That’s not to say this group is devoid of potential rotation pieces. Gonzaga alum Ryan Nembhard has impressed, serving as Dallas’ lead ball handler this summer. Through three games in Vegas the 22-year-old is averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 assists. Fellow undrafted free agent Miles Kelly has also turned a few heads. The Auburn product has notched 11.7 points while flashing his talent as a knockdown shooter. However, outside of those two, there hasn’t been much to brag about in Big D.
Things haven’t been much better for the 76ers, having gone 1-2 during their three Vegas matchups. Even Philly’s lone victory, a 74-58 triumph vs. the Wizards, wasn’t the most impressive performance. With that being said, rookie VJ Edgecombe has only suited up once this summer. The wing is expected to play tonight, giving Philadelphia a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor. He’ll be joined by several youngsters expected to play a significant role for the Sixers this season. That includes second-year pros Justin Edwards (12.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG) and Adem Bona (7.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG). Second-round pick Johni Broome has been solid, posting 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 46.2% from the field.
Ultimately, the biggest x-factor in this matchup for Dallas will be finding scoring. Flagg dominated this offense with 20.5 points per game. Replicating that level of production won’t be easy; after all, the Mavs have scored just 69 points in each of their last two outings. On the flip side, Philadelphia is stocked with plenty of quality contributors. The bigger question is whether Edgecombe can step up as a primary scorer. After all, the Baylor product is known as more of a defender than an offensive player. Against Washington on Tuesday, the Bahamian scored 15 points on inefficient 28.6% shooting.
Mavericks vs. 76ers Pick, Best Bet
Mavericks vs. 76ers UNDER 169 total points (-110)
Although Philadelphia enters tonight with more NBA-ready pieces, a 6.5-point spread is a bit too steep for my liking. Instead, a more secure bet might be on the total. Neither of these clubs have lit up the scoreboard, ranking inside the bottom three in points per game. Even with Edgecombe active, it’s difficult to envision a sudden surge in scoring. Expect another ugly, grind-it-out affair in Vegas on Wednesday.
