In the final game of the eight-game slate of NBA Summer League action, the Portland Trail Blazers will face the Memphis Grizzlies. Portland is coming off a convincing victory over the Warriors in their first game in Las Vegas, while the Grizzlies are looking to bounce back from their loss to the Celtics.
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Grizzlies as 4.5-point favorites at -198 on the moneyline ahead of the contest. The Trail Blazers hold +164 odds on the moneyline with the game total set at 182.5.
Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies Preview, Prediction:
Yang Hansen mania has taken storm in Las Vegas. The Trail Blazers selected the 7-foot-1 center with the 16th overall pick and are making a clear effort to cater to his skillset and incorporate the 20-year-old at a rapid rate. Yang finished with 10 points, five assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and a steal while knocking down a three-pointer. There is a clear playmaking feel that he possesses, and it will be fascinating to see how his skill set translates at the NBA level moving forward.
Rayan Rupert led the Trail Blazers in scoring in the summer league opener with 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Former North Carolina and Arizona standout Caleb Love added 18 points and six rebounds. He played with an off-the-charts motor and can get red hot on any given night. James Bouknight added 11 points, nine rebounds, and four assists while posting a game-high +32. Cameron Tyson pitched in 12 points off the bench, and Sidy Cissoko brings high-level athleticism that could prove valuable in this matchup.
Armondo Bacot will get the first crack at slowing down Yang. The North Carolina standout was wildly successful across his five years in college and spent last season playing for the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate. He finished with 14 points and six rebounds in the opening loss to the Celtics, but he has more to his game than this.
Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson each looked like players to watch for earning the “too good” for Summer League label. But they shot a combined 8-for-20 and 3-for-10 from beyond the three-point arc. Cam Spencer added 15 points while Zyon Pullin also had some struggles in his debut. Nate Hinton is also a name to keep an eye on off the bench with three years of NBA experience under his belt.
Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies Pick: Trail Blazers ML (+164)
Expect Yang Hansen to continue to get more comfortable and for his teammates to grow in their understanding of cutting around him. There were some pretty advanced actions being run by the Trail Blazers based on the circumstances, with the Summer League being mostly a pickup-like setting.
Jackson and Wells will play better than they did in the first game, but Memphis’ roster is a bit limited in other scoring options. The team shot just 20.7% from beyond the three-point arc in the summer league debut and also turned the ball over 20 times.
There was also a hunger on display from Portland’s roster, with plenty of members looking to cement their NBA outlook. Caleb Love’s effort level popped, and players like James Bouknight, Rayan Rupert, and Sean Pedulla are each desperately trying to secure their NBA standing. Count on this hunger translating to the box score and for Portland to do enough to pull off the upset tonight. There is not enough consistent offense on the Grizzlies roster to overcome the grittiness the Trail Blazers flashe and I am backing the upset tonight.
