The Houston Rockets will take on the Toronto Raptors with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. The Rockets produced a 97-86 win over the Denver Nuggets in their first matchup in Las Vegas, while the Raptors are searching for their first win after falling to the Boston Celtics 83-80 in overtime.
DraftKings Sportsbook is offering odds for all the summer league matchups, including some player prop and team prop options depending on your location.
The Raptors enter as narrow 2.5-point favorites and hold -142 odds of winning outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Rockets hold +120 odds of winning outright, with the game total set at 178.5 points.
Rockets vs. Raptors preview, prediction
The Houston Rockets secured a 97-86 victory over the Denver Nuggets in their first summer league action. They held a lead for 83% of the matchup, but were unable to extend it beyond 12 throughout the game. Houston forced 24 turnovers in the matchup, but was out-rebounded 45-34.
Ohio State standout Bruce Thornton headlines the production in the opener, scoring a game-high 27 points. Isaiah Crawford added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Quadir Copeland contributed 14 points and seven rebounds of his own. Tristen Newton finished with 13 points while playing the primary point guard role. Daishen Nix was the lone other player to score in double figures.
The Toronto Raptors came up short in one of the most exciting matchups of the summer league thus far, losing 83-80 in overtime to the Boston Celtics. Toronto led for 79% of the matchup and extended this lead to as many as 12, but a late push by the Celtics proved to be enough. Both teams struggled with their efficiency in what was a defensive-minded battle.
Collin Murray-Boyles is on the summer league roster but was a late scratch due to a finger sprain. Alijah Martin was also ruled out for the opening matchup due to knee inflammation. Allen Graves made a statement with his play, finishing with 22 points and 13 rebounds in his first look in a Raptors uniform. Seth Lundy added 16 points and five assists, while Chucky Hepburn and Nimari Burnett also scored in double figures.
Rockets vs. Raptors pick, best bet
Summer league is not typically the place for defense to be put on display. But both of these organizations have established a defensive-minded identity, and this has carried over to summer league. Expect more of the same tonight as each member of the summer league roster makes their case for why they deserve to be a part of the long-term organizational plans.
The Rockets held the Nuggets to 40% shooting from the field, 18% from behind the three-point arc, and forced 24 turnovers in their summer league matchup. Offensively, their top scoring options struggled with their efficiency. Thornton shot 7-for-18 from the field, Crawford was 5-for-16 from the field, and Newton shot just 3-for-9. Houston’s offense lacked some cohesion, and this will especially be put on display against the Raptors’ defense.
Toronto made a statement in its opening matchup by limiting the Celtics to 83 points. Boston was limited to 30% shooting from the field, 26% from beyond the three-point arc, and the Raptors forced 17 turnovers. Toronto has some similar offensive shortcomings. Graves shot an efficient 9-for-16 from the field, but Hepburn was 4-for-16, Burnett shot 4-for-10, Lundy was 4-for-15, and Jaden Bradley connected on just one of his nine attempts.
Expect points to be difficult to come by on both sides of the ball and for the 178.5 game total to be too lofty. Don’t expect either side to comfortably clear much more than 80 points, with each side needing to earn every basket.
