2021 NBA Summer League: California Classic Preview, Best Bets

The NBA is back! Well, not so fast, the NBA is back for Summer League. 

This is not the typical Las Vegas Summer League, but four teams will play in the California Classic in Sacramento to get the ball rolling.

Tuesday night features two games, and DraftKings Sportsbook has posted lines for both:

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Who is playing for each team and can we generate an edge in these matchups, let's find out.

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Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5, 163.5) vs. Miami Heat - 8 PM EST

The Lakers raided the undrafted free agent market following last week’s NBA Draft, signing the likes of Joeyl Ayayi from Gonzaga, Michigan’s Chaundee Brown, and Texas Tech’s Mac McClung. 

Also on the roster is former Michigan point guard Zavier Simpson and BYU forward Yoeli Childs. 

Some of these players will compete for a roster spot with LA short on bodies and strapped by the hard cap this season so expect a full effort. 

However, they will face a formidable Heat team that has several players with pro experience on the roster such as Max Strus and Gabe Vincent. As well, they landed several UDFA with length and defensive chops like Kansas’ Marcus Garrett, Houston's DeJon Jarreau, and Mississippi State’s D.J. Stewart. 

Precious Achiuwa is on the roster but with his name linked to the reported Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade, I expect he is pulled from the roster. 

I lean towards the Heat catching points in the opener. Both teams have college products but the Heat have more proven commodities and clearly have their eye on competing on the defensive end. I see Miami keeping this close in a low scoring affair. 

Lean: Heat +4.5, Under 163.5

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Sacramento Kings (-1.5, 172.5) vs. Golden State Warriors - 11 PM EST

Note: Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody were held out by the Warriors after writing.

The host team Kings will have their first round pick, Davion Mitchell on the floor for his Summer League debut against the Warriors.

Golden State’s roster looks loaded, but that might be a bit misleading. Wes Goldberg of the Mercury News Group reported that Jordan Poole and Eric Paschall are on the team but are not expected to play much at all. 

However, there was no mention of Mychal Mulder, who may be the best player on the floor and former Boise State marksman Justinian Jessup. 

Both teams are going to be thin in the frontcourt. The Kings are going to be without second round pick, seven footer Neemias Queta, and don’t have another player over 6’9”. Meanwhile, the Warriors have one true big man in G-League product Selom Mawugbe.

With less size on the floor, I expect a fast pace to this game and a ton of shooting from the perimeter as well as offensive rebounding opportunities. I lean towards the over in what should be an exciting night cap matchup. 

Lean: Over 172.5