The Summer League is drawing to a close on Saturday for most NBA teams. That includes the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns, who will be packing up their bags to enjoy the rest of the offseason. We get one more chance to see the young talent on these two Western Conference teams.
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Portland Trail Blazers as 3.5-point favorites and -155 on the moneyline. The Phoenix Suns are listed at +130 odds on the moneyline with the game total set at 180.5. Let’s get into a breakdown of the two Summer League squads, players to watch, and a pick for the contest.
Trail Blazers vs. Suns prediction, preview
It’s been all about showcasing the big men for these two teams. Both selected new centers in the 2025 draft, starting with the Suns nabbing Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick. Portland followed with one of the surprises in the draft, taking Chinese center Yang Hansen with the 16th pick. Both got their first exposure to NBA-level basketball in Vegas, with mixed results.
Maluach struggled with efficiency, shooting just 35.7% from the floor and 43.8% from the line, with one assist to seven turnovers. A steep drop from his numbers at Duke. What intrigued me is that Maluach took 13 threes in his three games. He showed flashes of a shot before, especially in international play. It seems Phoenix is invested in exploring his potential as a stretch five.
Yang Hansen captured Summer League with his highlight plays. No player in Vegas other than Yang averaged 10+ points, 5+ rebounds, 3+ assists, and 2+ blocks per game. His ability to impact the game all over the floor surprised even the most ardent member of Yang Gang.
Sadly, we won’t get to see the two face off on Saturday. Hansen has already been shut down for the remainder of summer, and it would surprise me if Maluach played in this one. But we’re still going to see some good talent. It’s been a good summer for Oso Ighodaro, the Suns’ projected backup big. Ryan Dunn is getting some run as well after a successful rookie campaign. And Portland is getting some good games out of James Bouknight, the former Hornets flameout.
Trail Blazers vs. Suns pick, best bet
With lineups still being finalized at this stage of Vegas, it’s hard to say who will have the edge in talent before we know the full scope of who’s playing and who’s sitting. That gives me confidence in Phoenix as underdogs.
Yang Hansen being in street clothes takes away Portland’s best player. They may still have Caleb Love and Bouknight, but it leaves them short in the talent department. None of Dunn, Maluach, Ighodaro, and Rasheer Fleming have been ruled out so far. On top of that, Boogie Ellis has played quite well, and Phoenix has no incentive to sit him.
Nothing is tougher to cap than an end-of-Vegas Summer League game. So if the two teams are tight, take the underdog for the best value.
