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We’ve got seven Summer League games on the day’s slate as we start getting closer to the championship, which will take place Sunday, July 17. Some teams remain in position to contend for the title, while others have pulled their best young players to prevent injuries and get looks at lesser-known talents.
Here we’ll be recapping all the games for Tuesday, July 12.
NBA Summer League recaps
Chicago Bulls 93, Toronto Raptors 83
The Bulls got good outings from Dalen Terry and Carlik Jones, with the latter shooting 100% from the floor. Terry should crack Chicago’s rotation immediately, while Jones likely is a two-way candidate. Makur Maker had a solid showing but he’s also a two-way candidate at best. For the Raptors, Dalano Banton and Jeff Dowtin were the stars. If Toronto guts the rotation in a Kevin Durant trade, both players could get some run with the main team.
Memphis Grizzlies 120, Brooklyn Nets 84
The Grizzlies got another big performance from Santi Aldama, who tallied 31 points and nine rebounds. He wasn’t the only one who showed out for Memphis, as the Grizzlies had five players in double figures. David Roddy and Jake LaRavia are making strong cases to be in the rotation right away as rookies. For the Nets, Cam Thomas continues to fill up the stat sheet but he’s a one-man show right now. He’s the lone player of interest on Brooklyn’s Summer League team.
Atlanta Hawks 95, Miami Heat 88
Nikola Jovic didn’t play, so this was basically a throwaway game for Miami when it comes to players potentially impacting the main roster. The Hawks could give Tyrese Martin a look but they’re quite loaded at the wing spot on the main team. He looks like a two-way contract candidate after scoring 21 points on 9-14 shooting. Chaundee Brown Jr. was also solid for Atlanta with 18 points on 8-11 shooting.
Boston Celtics 103, Golden State Warriors 92
The Celtics got big efforts from four players, including Juhaan Begarin and Mfiondu Kabengele. The latter had a double-double in the win. However, this game was about Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody showing they are capable of stepping into bigger roles for the defending champions. With Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II gone, both these second-year guys have to make the leap for Golden State to repeat. They’re looking solid right now.
Indiana Pacers 101, Detroit Pistons 87
The Pistons didn’t play some of their top guys, including Jaden Ivey. Buddy Boeheim led the team with 18 points on 3-5 shooting from deep. The star of the game was Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin, who could be a Rookie of the Year darkhorse candidate. He put up 20 points, three assists, five rebounds and three steals in the win. Isaiah Jackson also had a nice game with 14 points and four blocks.
Phoenix Suns 105, Dallas Mavericks 78
This was yet another instance of one team shooting the ball extremely well while the other team lays an egg. The Suns might give Louis King and Olivier Sarr some additional looks going forward, especially if they have to gut their roster in a potential Kevin Durant trade. Jaden Hardy struggled again from the floor for the Mavericks but he’s in good shape to make the roster given the financial commitment Dallas made to him.
Los Angeles Lakers 83, Los Angeles Clippers 72
It was a rough night offensively for both teams. Max Christie continued to struggle from the floor, and it’s hard to see him getting significant run to start the season. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider also had down showings. For the Clippers, Brandon Boston Jr. and Jay Scrubb were the standout players. They’re going to have a tough time cracking the rotation on what is one of the most loaded teams in the NBA.