NBA 2K26 Summer League Predictions for Friday, July 11th
The NBA 2K26 Summer League, which takes place in VSiN’s backyard of Las Vegas, Nevada, is here. This event is like the NBA’s version of Comic-Con, as all of the stars, coaches, front office executives and media personalities tend to show up in Sin City. However, the main attraction is the actual basketball itself, which generally features some of the top prospects from the NBA Draft hooping in their new colors for the first time.
For the format of the 2025 Vegas Summer League, along with some notes and tournament futures, check out Jonathan Von Tobel’s in-depth look at the action. However, for some daily best bets, I’ll have you covered. That said, keep reading for my plays for Friday, July 11th.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics – 4:00 pm ET
For as long as GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells are on the floor for Memphis, the Grizzlies will be one of the best teams in Vegas. Jackson’s combination of size, tools and firepower will make him one of the toughest players to cover in Sin City, and Wells is really too good to even be playing this week. He’s a guy that contributed to winning in a big way as a rookie, and he looks the part of a long-term starter in this league. Wells should also be able to create at a high level against this type of competition, so he should stand out in this game. Cam Spencer is also one of the most explosive perimeter players you can possibly have at an event like this. Realistically, those three have enough to terrorize Boston, which isn’t a very talented squad — despite being loaded when it comes to the actual NBA. I also like some of the lesser known Grizzlies guards, like Javon Small and Zyon Pullin.
Bet: Grizzlies -4 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat – 4:30 pm ET
The Heat just went 2-1 in the California Classic, so they come into this tournament with a little momentum. The players on the team have also had a chance to play with one another, and that definitely counts for something in an environment like this one. However, I just can’t shake the feeling that the Hawks are a brutal matchup for them. Kobe Bufkin, who has torched the G League early in his career, should be the best player on the floor by a mile. He’s a clever scorer that can create offense in an instant, and he’s not alone on his team. Asa Newell, Atlanta’s first-round pick, should instantly play well in Vegas, as he’s a good play finisher and a strong overall athlete. He also has a high motor. The team also has some intriguing international players that could stand out, like Nikola Durisic and Jack McVeigh. The latter actually played in the G League last year, but he’s mostly known as a shooter that stands out for the Australian national team.
Bet: Hawks +5.5 (-110)
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors – 8:00 pm ET
The presence of Matas Buzelis on the Bulls roster probably means a lot of bettors will flock to Chicago, and that’s supported by the ticket count on our VSiN NBA Summer League betting splits page. The problem is that Toronto has Collin Murray-Boyles, one of the best defenders in the rookie class, to stick Buzelis. That’s going to be tough on the Bulls wing, especially with Murray-Boyles having more fouls to work with than usual. The Raptors also have some good size around the basket in Ulrich Chomche, Jonathan Mogbo and Colin Castleton to put a lid on the rim. On top of that, I like Toronto’s firepower in the backcourt, with Jamal Shead being the type of table-setting point guard that thrives in a setting like this, and Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamison Battle giving him snipers to feed. I also anticipate Alijah Martin’s bull-like mentality meshing with Shead, making this a tough backcourt to score on when they’re together.
Bet: Raptors -5.5 (-110)
Washington Wizards vs. Phoenix Suns – 9:00 pm ET
The Wizards have some serious perimeter firepower, as Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, AJ Johnson, Kyshawn George and Will Riley can all put the ball in the hole. The same also goes for Alex Sarr, who looked awesome in the second half of his rookie season. Unfortunately, these games tend to be extremely ugly, especially if you don’t have an unselfish point guard running the show. Well, I’m not sure Washington has that here, and Phoenix is going to be tough as hell defensively in this tournament. The Suns are trying to showcase their grittier defensive-minded culture in Sin City, and they definitely have the roster to do it. Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach are all big, lengthy players that will make use of their athleticism and limbs to guard like crazy. That means the Wizards could be in for an inefficient night on offense. The question is, can the Suns score enough to cover? It might be hard with Koby Brea being the only marksman on the squad, but I think Phoenix will do just enough to make this a game.
Bet: Suns +7.5 (-110)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors – 11:00 pm ET
I’m channeling my inner Josh Appelbaum in the late game, which means I’m going with a little contrarian play as a night cap. Portland has some notable players on its roster, as Yang Hansen, Rayan Rupert, Caleb Love and James Bouknight are all names people will know heading into this game. Golden State really doesn’t have that same name recognition, yet the Warriors are favored in this game. It just feels like the oddsmakers are trying to get people to back Portland, so I’m happy to go the other way with it. And Golden State does have some players I’m intrigued by. Keep an eye on LJ Cryer, Alex Toohey, Will Richard and Jackson Rowe. Taran Armstrong and Blake Hinson can also pitch in. I’ll also note that the Warriors played in the California Classic, so they have some games together under their belts.
Bet: Warriors -3.5 (-110)
