There are seven games of NBA Summer League action taking place in Las Vegas on Tuesday. In the first matchup of the slate, the Detroit Pistons will face the Minnesota Timberwolves as each organization continues its evaluation of its young talent. Both teams are undefeated at 2-0. This matchup is set to tip off at 4:30 p.m. ET.
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Timberwolves as 3.5-point favorites and -166 on the moneyline ahead of the contest. The Pistons are +140 on the moneyline with the game total set at 185.5.
Pistons vs. Timberwolves Preview, Prediction:
Detroit bested the Houston Rockets in its Summer League debut, 98-83. The Pistons held Houston to 40.3% shooting from the field and 14.3% from downtown.
Daniss Jenkins led the way with 23 points, two rebounds, six assists, two steals and an assist in 23 minutes. Jenkins is 6’3″ 165 pounds and went undrafted in 2024. He plays with a ton of energy, showed good touch from outside and was able to get to the rim off the bounce. He also played the passing lanes well and got his pilfer on. Ron Holland was his athletic self and the jumper looked smooth, but he still shot 5-of-12 from the field. Tolu Smith is 6’11” 245 pounds and also went undrafted in 2024. He put up 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block in 23 minutes. Chaz Lanier was one of the best shooters in college, and he’s going to be a good one in the NBA. He converted 4-of-11 from downtown.
In the second game, Detroit beat the New York Knicks, 104-86. Detroit held the Knicks to 40% shooting from the field and 22.2% from downtown. The Pistons also racked up nine steals and nine blocks.
Jenkins had another good game, stuffing the stat sheet with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks in 22 minutes. He shot 7-of-11 from the field. It was Holland who led the way, though, with 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block. As a second-year player, this is the kind of dominant performance that should be expected in Summer League. Smith dub-dubbed again with 16 points and 11 rebounds with two assists, a steal and two blocks.
Minnesota defeated the Denver Nuggets in its opener, 94-83. Minnesota only turned the ball over seven times while limiting Denver to 41.9% shooting. Granted, Minnesota only shot 39.1%, but the Timberwolves had nine more second-chance points and 12 more fastbreak points.
Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. He shot 8-of-19 from the field and 5-of-14 from downtown. Shannon is 6’6″, 215 pounds, possesses hops like a flea and there are trails of blur when he races down the court. He was the first-round pick of the Timberwolves in 2024 and performed well last season when given playing time, even in the playoffs. This is how a second-year player should perform in Summer League. Rob Dillingam played 30 minutes and contributed 15 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals. He only shot 6-of-15 from the field and 2-of-6 from downtown. Dillingham is lightning quick with a good handle package, but he’s slight of frame and had four turnovers.
In the second game, Minnesota took care of the New Orleans Pelicans, 98-91. Minnesota had 11 more assists and 11 more blocks. The Timberwolves also had 12 more points in the paint and 17 more fastbreak points.
Shannon Jr. once again dominated with 20 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Leonard Miller, the second round pick in 2023, contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals and four blocks. Rookie big man Joan Beringer had 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist, two steals and a whopping six blocks. He moved well, is long and has springy hops.
Pistons vs. Timberwolves Pick: Pistons +3.5 (-110)
Most teams shut down the good players after two games in the Summer League. I don’t think we see much more of Ron Holland and Terrence Shannon Jr. the rest of the way.
So, for Minnesota, I think we see plenty of Dillingham, Miller and Beringer. For Detroit, Jenkins should continue to ball out while Smith and Lanier should see more opportunities.
I really like what I’ve seen from Jenkins, and likely matched up against Dillingham, he could go bonkers. I like the talent that Detroit will likely field after sitting its top guys compared to what Minnesota will likely put out on the court.
