The NBA’s Summer League continues Thursday with a matchup between the Spurs and Hornets. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Charlotte is favored by 2.5 points and this game presents a total of 185 points.
Below, I break down this matchup between the Spurs and Hornets and give a pick for the game.
Spurs vs. Hornets preview, prediction
The Spurs and Hornets both are a perfect 3-0 this Summer League. San Antonio has been dominant, with the second-best point differential in the league at 16.7, while Charlotte ranks ninth at 8.7.
The Spurs have been led by an unexpected hero. After competing with the Mexico City Capitanes in the G-League last season, David Jones-Garcia has been a beast for San Antonio in the Summer League, leading the team with 24.3 PPG while shooting 58.7% from the field and 63.2% from beyond the arc.
Rookie Dylan Harper, who the Spurs selected second overall in last month’s NBA Draft, has also been effective, averaging 16 PPG in the Summer League. However, Harper has displayed some classic rookie flaws, shooting 35.7% from the field and averaging 3.5 turnovers per game.
Heading into his second NBA season, KJ Simpson has been excellent for the Hornets, leading the team with 19.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. Tidjane Salaun is another second-year player that has been strong for the Hornets this summer, averaging 14 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Lastly, rookie Liam McNeeley out of UConn has looked like a steal from last month’s NBA Draft. The wing is averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this summer. He missed Monday’s game vs. the Mavericks with an Achilles injury and it has yet to be announced if he will suit up Thursday.
Spurs vs. Hornets pick, best bet
Even if McNeeley suits up, the rookie dealing with an Achilles injury is concerning and the Hornets may give him a lighter workload. Given this injury concern, backing the Spurs to win this matchup is smart. San Antonio has arguably been the better team this summer and are an appealing moneyline bet at +120 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
