Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets (6:30pm ET)
This matchup between the Rockets and Nuggets does not have much star power at all, but I do think there’s a betting angle here. While this game might not attract much viewership given the rosters, one does standout to me as far superior.
Houston’s roster is extremely lackluster, headlined by a second round pick in last month’s NBA Draft in Bruce Thornton out of Ohio State. The remainder of the Rockets’ lineup has no notable draft picks, and virtually no NBA experience.
While Denver doesn’t have any elite prospects, the roster is made up of some decent pieces. The Nuggets have a handful of rookies on the roster that were impact players in college hoops last season, including a pair of second round picks in Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins. They also have some players that were selected in the draft a few years back and have bounced around the league — former Big 12 stars DeJon Jarreau and Jahmi’us Ramsey.
What I like most about the Nuggets’ roster in this matchup is veteran point guard play. Denver has both KJ Simpson and Mark Sears. Sears played five years of college basketball and was a floor general at Alabama, and had a cup of coffee with the Bucks last season. Simpson should be the best player on the floor. The former Colorado guard was drafted in the second round by the Hornets two summers ago, but was traded to Denver during the season. He has some real NBA experience, and is by far the most tested player in this game.
I like Simpson to be the major difference in a game where the Nuggets should just be able to out-talent a poor Houston roster.
NBA Summer League Pick: Nuggets Moneyline (-118)
