Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets will play their final games of NBA Summer League action tonight when they face each other at 10 p.m. ET. As veteran-laden contending squads, neither side has a lot of young guys to invest in, and this clash is merely for consolation. Each team is 1-3 and has been eliminated from Summer League contention.
Los Angeles is a three-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook (-155 on the Moneyline), with the point total set for 173.5. Denver is +130 on the Moneyline. Below, I’ll preview each team and offer a prediction.
Lakers-Nuggets Roster Breakdown
It’s always possible that he’ll sit on the second night of a back-to-back, but tonight’s game could be Lakers’ fans last chance to watch Bronny James play real minutes for a while, since he likely won’t be a member of Los Angeles’ rotation despite his improvement. He’s had a very encouraging Summer League, averaging 14.3 points per game on 48-30-79 shooting splits and generally demonstrating a lot more poise and game control than he did during his rookie season. Cole Swider (17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on 44.4% shooting from deep) has also been impressive, as has DJ Steward. But the Lakers need more from Dalton Knecht, who has shot just 27.9% from the field and 23.8% from deep.
The Nuggets picked up their first win of the Summer League last night against the LA Clippers, as last season’s first-round pick, DaRon Holmes, contributed a massive 19-point, 17-rebound stat line and Spencer Jones chipped in with 17 of his own. Holmes, who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, has made more than 50% of his shots and 40% of his threes, and if his shooting continues, he could provide another three-and-D option when Aaron Gordon is on the bench. Curtis Jones, too, has averaged 12.8 points per game so far after contributing 17.2 points per game off the bench for Iowa State last season.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Pick
Los Angeles Lakers -3 (-110)
It’s always difficult trying to predict who’s going to play in a Summer League game, especially when both teams have long since been eliminated from tournament title contention and no young players on either squad have much to prove. However, James will be given every opportunity to prove himself as long as his father LeBron wants him to play, and the Lakers probably would like to see Knecht get into more of a rhythm headed into training camp. Denver is staring down its third game in four days, which doesn’t bode well for Holmes’ Achilles recovery. I think the Nuggets will shut their big man down.
