Summer League Day 2
With the NBA Vegas Summer League tournament underway the second day of the event got underway Saturday July 11th. Here’s a quick rundown of the 8 games who participated on day 2.
New Orleans versus Dallas Mavericks
Game Leaders:
Pelicans:
Points: Seph Curry – 25 points
Rebounds: Khem Birch – 6 rebounds
Assists: Larry Drew II– 5 assists
Mavericks:
Points: Justin Anderson – 23 points
Rebounds: Dwight Powell – 14 rebounds
Assists: Kevin Pangos – 6 assists
Game Notes:
Seth Curry demonstrated apparently DNA is something that can translate onto the court coming out and dominating offensively. While the Pelicans got the win it wasn’t as easy as their first outing as the Mavericks kept fighting back in the game. There was lots of Canadian talent in this match-up with Khem Birch, Dwight Powell and Kevin Pangos all making the leader boards by games end.
Knicks vs Spurs
Game Leaders:
Knicks:
Points: Cleanthony Early– 18 points
Rebounds: Travis Wear – 10 rebounds
Assists: Cleanthony Early– 3 assists
Spurs:
Points: Kyle Anderson – 23 points
Rebounds: Cady Lalanne – 6 rebounds
Assists: Shannon Scott – 3 assists
Game Notes:
Maybe it’s just me but I can see how Kyle Anderson will end up being the next Boris Diaw for the San Antonio Spurs. He isn’t fast on the court but he has all the intangibles and you can envision him becoming a Diaw style of player in the future. The Spurs team have developed him and his maturity is showing. As for maturity the Knicks Cleanthony Early is also demonstrating growth and led his team in a couple of categories. The reality is everyone was anxious to get their eyes on the number 4 draft pick Kristaps Porzingas and he didn’t disappoint. Though he only played 18 minutes he registered 12 points on 3 of 5 shooting and was 6 of 7 from the line.
Wizards vs Suns
Game Leaders:
Wizards:
Points: Kelly Oubre – 20 points
Rebounds: Jarrid Famous – 10 rebounds
Assists: Scott Machado – 4 assists
Suns:
Points: Archie Goodwin – 22 points
Rebounds: Alex Len – 8 rebounds
Assists: Mickey McConnell – 6 assists
Game Notes:
Despite winning the rebound handily the Wizards were never really in this game as the Suns got out to a quick start and though Washington had small runs they were never able to draw close enough to make it a contest. Kelly Oubre showcased skills and led his team with 20 points and the Suns had several players contribute to the winning effort.
Bulls vs T-Wolves
Game Leaders:
Bulls
Points: Bobby Portis – 23 points
Rebounds: Cameron Bairstow – 9 rebounds
Assists: Ramon Galloway – 9 assists
T-Wolves:
Points: Zach LaVine – 20 points
Rebounds: Adreian Payne – 9 rebounds
Assists: Tyus Jones – 3 assists
Game Notes:
The Bulls got solid production from their rookie Bobby Portis and first year player Doug McDermott showcased his sweet shooting stroke. On the T-Wolves side of the floor Zach LaVine is opening eyes with the improvement in his shooting specifically from behind the arc, showing his off season work. In his second game Towns looked much more relaxed and despite dealing with several double teams he managed to post 9 points and 9 rebounds. Another notable for the T-Wolves is the emerging game of Adreian Payne who could easily become one of those stretch four players all teams covet especially with his ability to hit the three (3 of 5on the day).
Celtics vs. Blazers
Game Leaders:
Celtics:
Points: Marcus Smart – 19 points
Rebounds: Jordan Mickey – 10 rebounds
Assists: Marcus Smart – 3 points
Blazers:
Points: Allen Crabbe 15 points
Rebounds: Malcolm Thomas 10 rebounds
Assists: Tim Frazier 8 assists
Game Notes:
Every day I get up and start checking the headlines I keep thinking when is Danny Ainge going to make the big trade to part with some of the many stock piled draft picks he has or group them with existing talent. While Marcus Smart seems to perfectly fit the identity of the Celtics his name seems to keep being mentioned in trade rumors. On Saturday he showcased why teams looking for a gritty point guard may want to take a closer look as he scored 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. While Portland held Boston to 35.3% from the field they never really got close enough (despite a large run late in the game) to push the Celtics who built a 20 point cushio.
Lakers vs Sixers
Game Leaders:
Lakers:
Points: Jordan Clarkson – 19 points
Rebounds: D’Angelo Russell– 8 rebounds
Assists: D’Angelo Russell – 3 assists
Sixers:
Points: Jahlil Okafor 19 points
Rebounds: Jahlil Okafor 11 rebounds
Assists: Jahlil Okafor 3 assists
Game Notes:
After facing off against the number one pick in his first outing D’Angelo Russell got to see the man he surpassed to take over the second pick. He put up a solid performance scoring 14 points, dished out 3 assists, had a surprising 8 rebounds and as well as a block and a steal. Jahlil Okafor led his team in all major categories.
Nets vs Cavaliers
Game Leaders:
Nets:
Points: Ryan Boatright – 16 points
Rebounds: Willie Reed – 10 rebounds
Assists: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 4 assists
Cavaliers:
Points: Jerrelle Benimon – 11 points
Rebounds: Jerrelle Benimon– 12 rebounds
Assists: D.J. Seeley – 5 assists
Game Notes:
Of all the Saturday games this one was the most competitive as the teams exchanged the lead several times. Brooklyn held on to win by one point by game end. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues to impress with his two way game which was showcased in a stacked box score: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and a block.
Heat vs Jazz
Game Leaders:
Heat:
Points: Josh Richardson 16 points
Rebounds: Greg Whittingon – 10 rebounds
Assists: Shabazz Napier 4 – assists
Jazz:
Points: Bryce Cotton – 28 points
Rebounds: Jack Cooley – 8 rebounds
Assists: Bryce Cotton – 4 assists
Game Notes:
Miami continue to dominate in Summer League games as they won their first game of the Vegas tournament after going unbeaten in Orlando (6-0). The Heat’s top pick Justise Winslow sat this one out but won in spite of his absence in the line-up. Perhaps they benefited from the chemistry they developed in Orlando. Utah kept the game close with Trey Lyles showing a bit of everything but never got close enough to threaten the victory.
More from Space City Scoop
- Rockets: Time to return the slander towards Rachel Nichols
- What the Rockets must do with the second overall pick
- Houston Rockets: The case for, and against, trading Christian Wood
- NBA Rumors: Why the Houston Rockets shouldn’t trade up to no. 1 in NBA Draft
- 3 players that would be a perfect fit for the Houston Rockets at 23 or 24