- Following four days of the NBA Summer League schedule, the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the favorite to win in Las Vegas at +250 odds.
- The Cavaliers are the first team to reach three wins following a 100-77 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
- No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama was shut down by the San Antonio Spurs after his second Summer League game. Spurs odds drop to +8000.
The annual NBA Summer League is well underway in Las Vegas, Nevada. With teams heading into their third and fourth games of the schedule, the Cleveland Cavaliers have established themselves as the favorites at Bovada. Currently, the Cavaliers have +250 odds to win the 2023 Summer League Championship.
Each team plays a four-game schedule before a four-team playoff is established. On July 17, the championship game will take place between the two finalists.
Every squad is guaranteed at least five games. For the non-playoff teams, an extra consolation game will occur. Oddsmakers at Bovada are confident in the Cavaliers as one of the last teams standing in Las Vegas.
The Cavaliers are a perfect 3-0 with only one game remaining before the playoff. On July 13, the Cavaliers will conclude their four-game schedule against the Chicago Bulls. If their previous effort is any indication, the Cavaliers should have no issues with Chicago.
Cavaliers Steamrolling Competition In Summer League
The rookies and young Cavaliers have gotten acclimated nicely to life in Las Vegas. After a close win over the Brooklyn Nets, 101-97, the Cavaliers pummeled the Raptors and Grizzlies. Neither matchup was competitive, as the Cavs torched their opponents for a 99-76 and 100-77 victory.
Eight 3-pointers made… EIGHT.@CaesarsSports | #Ad | @smerrill05 pic.twitter.com/WhMYA5YSMK
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) July 11, 2023
Through three Summer League games, the Cavaliers have averaged 100 points per game. With 83.3 points allowed per game, they’ve had an incredibly impressive point differential of +16.7 in three outings.
Additionally, the Cavaliers are one of three teams that have averaged more than 100 points per game. The Pacers are a hair short at 99.5 points per game, but have the second-best point differential and odds to win the Summer League title at +400.
For a young Cavaliers squad expected to take another leap in 2023-24, this has been an encouraging Summer League program. Summer League should always be taken with a grain of salt. That being said, seeing second-round selection Emoni Bates chew up the competition has to get Cavaliers fans excited.
Emoni Bates against Memphis:
21 PTS
2 STL
2 BLK
7-11 FG
5-8 3P
27 MINFor real. pic.twitter.com/mqtS2kyQnX
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 10, 2023
Bates is on a two-way contract going into the 2023-24 season. If Bates continues to play well and impress coaches in practice, he could find himself on the active roster this season. In three games, Bates has averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
Keyonte George Favored To Win Summer League MVP
At the online betting site Bovada, NBA bettors can wager on the Summer League MVP. Odds are currently on the board and it isn’t a surprise who is at the top. Utah Jazz rookie guard Keyonte George has been turning heads in Las Vegas through two Summer League games.
The 16th overall pick out of Baylor followed up with an impressive performance after a strong debut. In his first Summer League start, George shined bright with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals against the OKC Thunder. He was active on both ends of the floor as an offensive player and defender.
Keyonte George in Vegas SL games:
33 PTS, 10 AST, 6 3PM
26 PTS, 7 AST, 5 3PMJazz are 2-0 🎶 pic.twitter.com/t6pURj8Pbv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 11, 2023
To prove it wasn’t a fluke, George responded with more of the same against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 19-year-old guard poured in 26 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. He was lights out from downtown, as George converted on 50% of his three-point attempts.
Due to the red-hot performances, George has a bit of a cushion in the NBA Summer League MVP odds at Bovada. Entering Utah’s third game, he has +600 odds to collect the Summer League MVP award.
Cleveland’s Bates is in the discussion for MVP as well. The Eastern Michigan product has the sixth-best odds to win the award. Currently, Bates is +1200 to win the Summer League MVP. Given the Cavaliers’ odds to win the NBA Summer League, there might be some value in betting on Bates.
All it can take is one poor game from George and another player to send Bates’ odds skyrocketing. In such a tight window with limited opportunities, one bad outing can end a player’s chances at the MVP.
Wemby Sitting Out Final Summer League Games
The Spurs are not taking any chances on Victor Wembanyama. They have seen enough from the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft. That removes Wembanyama from the Summer League MVP conversation, but the Spurs are not interested.
After a slow start in his first game, Wembanyama shook off the jitters and looked like a first-overall pick versus the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite an 85-80 loss, Wembanyama stole the show in Las Vegas.
The highly-touted rookie scored 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had 3 blocks in the loss. Wemby’s standout performance came after a 2-of-13 shooting night in his Summer League debut on Friday night.
Wemby in Summer League:
18.0 PPG
10.0 RPG
4.0 BPG
27.0 MPGPredict his rookie season stat line. pic.twitter.com/nCi2IBvOut
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 10, 2023
In front of a solid Thomas & Mack Center crowd, Wembanyama scored 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 blocks. The 2-of-13 shooting resulted in criticism, but 5 blocks and his defensive presence didn’t go unnoticed by true basketball fans.
We will not see Wembanyama back on the floor until the preseason in October. Due to his absence for the rest of the Summer League schedule, the Spurs’ odds have tanked.
Rest assured; Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich isn’t losing any sleep over Bovada listing the Spurs at +8000 to win the 2023 NBA Summer League title.
