The 2018 NBA Summer League is about to reach its conclusion as the tournament is now down to just two teams: the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Even without the teams’ stars like LeBron James (yes, it’s real) and Damian Lillard playing, this matchup should be packed with action and no-nonsense style of basketball played by players with plenty of things to prove.
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Betting Preview for the Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Summer League Final on July 17, 2018
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: Tuesday, July 17, 2018, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers (+3 point spread) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-3 point spread)
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on Portland Trail Blazers (+130 Moneyline)
The Blazers are headed to the Summer League finals after taking care of business in the semis, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, 97-92. Guard Archie Goodwin paced the Blazers by dropping 22 points on the Grizzlies. Goodwin made only four field goals but went 14-for-16 from the charity line. Goodwin is a four-year veteran, an elder statesman compared to most of his competition in the Summer League, so expect him to make many more heady plays while keeping composure. Caleb Swanigan also came up big for Portland in the semis, as the big man poured in 21 points to go with 16 rebounds. He will be a problem in the paint for the Lakers. Swanigan is averaging just 8.7 points in the tournament, so his offensive outburst against Memphis could be considered an anomaly. He is pulling down 11.0 boards per game, however, and there’s little reason not to expect him gobble up rebounds again this Tuesday. Portland outmuscled the Grizzlies on the glass, 43-25.
Betting on Los Angeles Lakers (-150 Moneyline)
The Lakers are back in the finals – the Summer League finals – a year after winning the tournament last year. This time around, the Lakers are leaning on the likes of Josh Hart and Svi Mykhailiuk to deliver the goods for the team. The duo did just that on Monday in a thrilling 112-109 double-overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. In that game, Hart exploded for 37 points to go with nine rebounds, while Mykhailiuk continued to impress, as he torched the Cavs with 31 points with six 3-pointers. Hart and Mykhailiuk have formed a Summer League Splash Brothers of sorts. Hart is putting up 24.2 points per game in the Las Vegas segment of the tournament, while Mykhailiuk is chipping in 17.7 per outing. They may have some problem winning the rebounding battle against Portland, but the Lakers can definitely find ways to score.
Writer’s Prediction
Los Angeles wins, 98-95. And with LeBron coming this season, they’d better get used to it.
Bet here on the 2018 NBA Summer League Final
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