Rockets vs Cavaliers NBA Summer League Final Odds & Picks (Monday, July 17)
- The Rockets and Cavaliers meet Monday for the NBA Summer League crown
- Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite here
- Who wins it all? Find the NBA Summer League Final odds, preview, and picks below
By the end of Monday, we will officially have a winner in this year’s edition of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers will meet at the Thomas & Mack Center, with tip-off scheduled for 9 PM ET. Keep reading for the NBA Summer League final odds and prediction.
Both teams were convincing in the semifinals. Houston dominated the Utah Jazz, winning 115-101 on Sunday. As for the Cavs, they took care of the Brooklyn Nets in overtime by a score of 102-99.
NBA Summer League Final Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | +3.5 (-115) | +135 | Ov 188.5 (-110) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -3.5 (-105) | -155 | Un 188.5 (-110) |
The Cavs come in as a 3.5-point favorite in the final with -155 NBA odds for an implied win probability of 60.78%. The Rockets meanwhile sit at +135 and have a 42.55% chance of coming out victorious. Neither team has ever won the Summer League.
Odds as of July 16 at BetMGM. Claim a BetMGM promo code to wager on the NBA Summer League championship.
Rockets Offense is Thriving
There’s been no better offensive team in Vegas than Houston. They were averaging just a tad under 110 PPG entering Sunday’s clash with the Jazz and that scoring production continued. Cam Whitmore continued his impressive tournament as he erupted for 25 points, while Nate Hinton also had 27.
A big reason for the Rockets’ success in the Sin City was Jabari Smith Jr, who went nuclear in his two appearances, averaging 35.5 points per night. Tari Eason balled out and first-rounder Amen Thompson showed promise before an ankle sprain. However, Smith and Eason were shut down and Thompson was ruled out last week. That opened up an opportunity for Whitmore in particular.
Nate Hinton and Cam Whitmore lead the @HoustonRockets to victory!
Hinton: 27 PTS | 5 REB | 5 STL
Whitmore: 25 PTS | 4 AST | 2 BLK#NBA2KSummerLeague championship game TOMORROW at 9pm/et on ESPN 🏆 pic.twitter.com/71zLSIwgMB— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2023
The former Villanova standout was expected to be a potential lottery pick last month but fell to 20th overall and he’s shown exactly why he’s such a special talent. In five games, Whitmore has posted averages of 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 46.5% from the field.
With Whitmore and Hinton continuing to make their presence felt, the Rockets have a real chance at winning Sunday if they can put together another dominant performance. But, it won’t be easy against a stout Cavs team who has barely allowed over 85 points per contest in Vegas.
Cavs’ Young Core is Looking Solid
It’s well known Cleveland has a great core at the NBA level with the likes of Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. That being said, there appears to be some intriguing pieces on their Summer League roster, too.
Isaiah Mobley, the brother of Evan, has been their star in this tourney. He was the difference-maker Sunday against the Nets, posting an impressive stat line of 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, doing a little bit of everything. Emoni Bates and Sam Merrill also did their part with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
ISAIAH MOBLEY CALLED GAME 😤 pic.twitter.com/iavQTyFYkV
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 16, 2023
Cleveland owns the best point differential of any team in Vegas at +11.4 and as previously mentioned, held oppositions to a mere 86.4 PPG. Mobley, Bates, and Merrill have all performed well in the Summer League and if that happens again Monday, the Cavs have a serious shot at winning a ring, especially with the Rockets missing a few key players. We already know they will play lockdown defense.
Rockets vs Cavaliers Pick
No 2023 first-round picks, no problem. Cleveland is shining in Vegas and I just think they have a little bit more firepower than the shorthanded Rockets, despite the brilliance of Whitmore. However, it could be a real battle. That’s why I’m eyeing the moneyline.
Pick: Cavaliers moneyline (-155)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 ON NBA & GET $150 IN BONUS BETS!
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKFIRST NBA BET OFFER: UP TO $1,000 PAID BACK
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKFIRST NBA BET ON CAESARS UP TO $1,250 + 1,000 TIER CREDITS AND 1,000 REWARD CREDITS®
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKNO SWEAT FIRST BET UP TO $1,000!
Quinn Allen is a sports journalist, with a background and education in broadcast journalism (BCIT '17). He is a full-time associate editor at ClutchPoints by day, where he writes about soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and more. At night, Quinn is a frequent contributor at SBD.
