NBA Summer League Playoffs Preview: First Round

(photo credit: nba.com)

The First Round of the Las Vegas Summer League Playoffs will begin today, as eight games will be played throughout the day. These teams will be vying for a spot in the Second Round, where they’ll take on teams that have already earned a spot in the Second Round. The first game of the day will feature the Atlanta Hawks, who will be facing off against the Sacramento Kings. Atlanta enters this game with a 2-1 record, while Sacramento has struggled in their first three games, as they enter this first round matchup with a 0-3 record. Atlanta is led by guard Kevin Pangos, who is averaging 12.3 points per game, which leads the team. Edy Tavares is leading the team in rebounds per game (7.0). The 7-3 center is also leading the team in blocks per game (3.3).

The Kings have been led by former Gonzaga guard David Stockton, who is averaging 13.0 points and 4.5 assists per game, which leads the team. The second game of the day has the Miami Heat, going up against the New Orleans Pelicans. After the Heat struggled in their first game against the Dallas Mavericks, they rebounded to win their final two games. New Orleans enters the game with a 1-2 record, and they’ve gotten some fantastic play from rookie Buddy Hield. The seventh overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is averaging 19.0 points per game, which leads the team. Cheick Diallo, the center out of Kansas, leads the team in rebounds per game (8.3), and in blocks per game (2.7). The Heat have been led by guard Rodney McGruder, who leads the team in points per game with 14. Okaro White has led the team in rebounds, as he’s averaged seven per game.

The third game of the First Round will feature the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio enters the game with 2-1 record, while Minnesota has registered a 0-3 record. One bright spot for the T-Wolves has been fifth overall pick Kris Dunn, who is averaging 24.0 points per game, which is the third highest average in the whole summer league. Devin Thomas has led the team in rebounds per game, as he’s averaged eight rebounds over three games. Leading the Spurs has been Kyle Anderson, who is averaging a team-high 18.5 points per game. Anderson has put up 23 meetings two different times during the Las Vegas Summer League. The fourth game of the day will have the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the D-League Select Team.

Philly enters with a 0-3 record, but one bright spot has been number one pick Ben Simmons, who’s dominated the passing lanes. The D-League Select Team enters with a 2-1 record, and they’ve been led by Rio Grande Valley Vipers guard Jaron Johnson, whose averaging 12.5 points per game. The next game will have the Boston Celtics (1-2), taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2). Boston has been led by second year guard Terry Rozier, who leads the team in points (19.5), rebounds (5.5), and steals (3.0). The defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers are led by Jordan McRae, who has averaged a team-high 20.3 points per game. The sixth game will feature a battle of two Western Conference teams, as the Portland Trail Blazers (1-2), will battle the Utah Jazz (1-2). Utah has been led by the dominant Trey Lyles, who is averaging a summer league high 29.0 points per game.

Portland is led by Pat Connaughton, who is averaging 14.0 points per game, and Noah Vonleh, who is averaging a team-high 11.0 rebounds per game. The next game will feature the Milwaukee Bucks (1-2) taking on the Dallas Mavericks (1-2). Dallas has been led by the scoring of Jonathan Gibson, who has averaged a team-high 22.0 points per game. Milwaukee is being led by second year guard Rashard Vaughn, who is averaging 16.3 points. The final game of the night features the Golden State Warriors (1-2), taking on the Houston Rockets (1-2). Golden State is led by Keifer Sykes, who is averaging a team-high 15.7 points per game. Houston is led by second year forward Sam Dekker, who has averaged 16.0 points per game. All Las Vegas Summer League games can be watched on NBATV and ESPN2.