NBA Vegas Summer League: July 15th, Tournament Play Games Recap

Summer League Day 6, Tournament Play Recap

Wednesday brought us the first seeded games of the NBA Vegas Summer League with the Rockets taking the 9th seed and meeting up against the bottom seeded (24th) Milwaukee Bucks. As I highlighted in the earlier article the Bucks entered the game without a win, but they chose the Rockets game to finally get their footing.

There were 7 other games July 15th which provided the seeds who’ll face up against the top 8 seeds in the tournament. Here’s a recap of those 7 games:

Nets vs. 76ers

Game Leaders:

Nets:

Points: Markell Brown – 23 points

Rebounds: Willie Reed – 9 rebounds

Assists: Markell Brown – 4 assists

76ers:

Points: Scotty Wilbekin– 11 points

Rebounds: Arsalan Kazemi – 7 rebounds

Assists: T.J. McConnell – 4 assists

Game Notes:

The fact Philly doubled the Nets 40 to 20 in points in the paint was surprising because Jahlil Okafor was unavailable for the Sixers being in L.A. for the ESPY Awards. The also dominated on fast break points outscoring their opponent 17-6. Regardless the Nets built a lead and though they allowed Philly to get close in the third quarter they were never able to catch the Nets who at one time held an 18 point lead.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has had a great tournament, but had his worst game in Vegas posting only 2 points, 4 rebounds and committed 6 turnovers. Fortunately for the rookie he got help in the from of reserves Cliff Alexander and Austin Hollins who each posted 13 points and starting guard Markel Brown lead all players with 23 points. The Nets had 4 players score in double digits while Philly had just one (Wilbekin).

Next up: Brooklyn moves on to play the number 7 seeded San Antonio Spurs at 6:30PM ET Thursday while Philly will play Houston on Friday afternoon (time to be confirmed).

Heat vs Hawks

Game Leaders:

Heat:

Points: Shabazz Napier – 21 points

Rebounds: Greg Whittington – 10 rebounds

Assists: Greg Whittington – 2 assists

Hawks:

Points: Mike Muscala 15 points

Rebounds:Mike Muscala – 12 rebounds

Assists: Mike Muscala – 5 assists

Game Notes:

To say Mike Muscala had a big day is a bit of a misnomer given he led the Hawks in all significant stat categories. Atlanta needed every bit of his production however as Miami got out to a strong start taking a 9 point lead until the Hawks finally got their footing. Atlanta took two key battles: out rebounding Miami 44-27 and also took the points in the paint battle 46-26. The two teams jockeyed back and forth throughout most of the middle frames until late in the third quarter when the Hawks took a lead they would never relinquish.

Miami was without the services of Justise Winslow who is nursing an injury.

Next up: Atlanta will play the third seeded Denver Nuggets at 8:30PM ET while Miami will tip off against Sacramento on Friday in the consolation round time TBA.

Kings vs Warriors

Kings:

Points: David Stockton – 17 points

Rebounds: Eric Moreland – 9 rebounds

Assists: David Stockton – 4 assists

Warriors:

Points: James Michael McAdoo – 20 points

Rebounds: James Michael McAdoo – 9 rebounds

Assists: Aaron Craft – 4 assists

Game Notes:

Though James Michael McAdoo has had a very productive tournament he saved his best game for the elimination round facing the same team they lost to just 2 nights earlier. The Warriors upped their defensive effort holding Sacramento to just 4 third quarter points and went on to win easily. Joining McAdoo with double-digit scoring was LaDonte Henton with 18 points and Kevon Looney with 11 points.

Monday night the Warriors had fallen by 19 points to the Kings and it was obviously fresh on the Warriors minds as they came close (16) to defeating Sacramento by the same score Wednesday night. Golden State dominated most key categories: rebounds +9 (45-36), doubling Sacramento in offensive boards 10 to 5, forcing 20 turnovers and tying the Kings in points in the paint. The Warriors were also the much more efficient shooting team connecting on 41.8% from the field while holding Sacramento to 36.4% and killing the Kings from behind the arc by shooting 47.1% and holding Sacramento to 25%.

Next up: Golden State will play the number 5 seeded team the New York Knicks at 4:30PM ET Thursday while Sacramento will play in the consolation round versus Miami on Friday time TBA.

Wizards vs. Jazz

Game Leaders:

Wizards:

Points: Scott Machado – 17 points

Rebounds: Chris Johnson – 11 rebounds

Assists: Scott Machado – 8 assists

Jazz:

Points: Bryce Cotton – 20 points

Rebounds: Trey Lyles – 7 rebounds

Assists: Jared Cunningham – 5 assists

Game Notes:

Both teams had trouble hanging on to the ball as they combined for 33 turnovers. The Wizards however were up 53-35 by half time and went on to an easy victory behind 5 players scoring in double digits. Washington also were +10 on the boards and shot better from the field (42.9% to 39.1%)

Next Up: Washington will play the number 4 seeded New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00PM ET Thursday night while Utah will face the Dallas Mavericks Friday in the consolation round, time TBA.

Lakers vs. Mavericks

Game Leaders:

Lakers:

Points: Anthony Brown– 19 points

Rebounds: Anthony Brown – 6 rebounds

Assists: D’Angelo Russell – 5 assists

Mavericks:

Points: Jeremy Tyler – 25 points

Rebounds: Jeremy Tyler – 11 rebounds

Assists: Dwight Powell – 4 assists

Game Notes:

To say it’s been a rough introduction to the NBA for the number two draft pick D’Angelo Russell is an understatement of large proportion. He amassed 20 turnovers through his first 3 games, so it would be understandable if his confidence has been shaken. In this elimination game he had his fewest turnovers (3), but shot poorly from the field. Still, this was the best game of the day coming right down to the wire to determine which team would move on and the Lakers having the last shot to try to either win outright or tie the game to go into overtime.

Justin Anderson has been stellar in Vegas and is sure to be a significant contributor to the Mavericks who are in need of finding front court assistance especially after losing out on the DeAndre Jordan sweepstakes. The other front court Maverick having a great tournament and showing growth is Canadian Dwight Powell. Based on what we’ve seen in Vegas I think the Mavericks have options off the bench. Meanwhile Russell has experienced first hand how much faster the NBA is than NCAA ball and despite those turnovers you can tell his court vision will still lead to many exciting assists this season.

Next Up: For now the Lakers will have to be content with being a work in progress as they move on to the consolation round Friday versus the Utah Jazz, time TBA. With the win Dallas will play the sixth seeded D-League Select squad Thursday night at 6:00PM ET.

Cavaliers vs. Bulls

Game Leaders:

Cavaliers:

Points: D.J. Seeley – 16 points

Rebounds: Jerrelle Benimon – 8 rebounds

Assists: Quinn Cook – 3 assists

Bulls:

Points: Doug McDermott – 16 points

Rebounds:Bobby Portis – 10 rebounds

Assists: Diante Garrett – 6 assists

Game Notes:

Perhaps Chicago was still stinging from being ousted by Cleveland during the playoffs, but a trio of Bulls put forth a solid beating on the Cavaliers in a dominate 18 point win. Each of Bobby Portis, Vander Blue and Doug McDermott scored 16 points behind the full team effort. Chicago were unconscious from the field shooting 48% and even better from behind the arc (50%). Also notable was their 91.7% free throw accuracy and their 50 to 26 dominance in paint points.

Cleveland didn’t have the horses to respond though D.J. Seeley equaled the big 3 Bulls output with 16 points of his own. Unfortunately only one other Cav broke double digits.

Next Up: The Bulls move on to the premiere game of Thursday night facing the number one seeded Toronto Raptors at 10:o0PM ET. In an interesting match-up the loss sends Cleveland to Friday’s consolation round where they’ll face Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves, time TBA. I wonder if Andrew Wiggins is wishing he’d have entered the Vegas tournament to put a beat down on Cleveland. Regardless there is sure to be enough inspiration for the T-Wolves to want to make an early statement.

Blazers vs T-Wolves

Game Leaders:

Blazers:

Points: Noah Vonleh – 16 points

Rebounds: Noah Vonleh – 10 rebounds

Assists: Tim Frazier – 6 assists

T-Wolves:

Points:Karl-Anthony Towns – 20 points

Rebounds:Karl-Anthony Towns – 10 rebounds

Assists: Lorenzo Brown – 4 assists

Game Notes:

In his best game of the tournament the number one draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns had arguably his best game scoring a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds and added in 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Four of his teammates joined him in scoring in double digits with Adreian Payne notably scoring 16 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Despite the solid effort by the T-Wolves the Portland Trail Blazers mounted enough production behind the solid effort of Noah Vonleh who had his best game of the tournament also posting a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds .

Next Up: With the win the Blazers move on to play the number three seeded Boston Celtics at 10:30 PM ET while the loss sends Minnesota into the consolation round versus the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday, time TBA.

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