Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA Summer League match.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have played twice in Las Vegas and lost both games: 92:95 to the Los Angeles Clippers and 83:98 to the Detroit Pistons. The squad is not focusing on results and is instead prioritising player rotation. The offensive core consists of Reed Sheppard and Kevon Harris, who occasionally post solid shooting statistics, but overall the team has looked disjointed. Against the Detroit Pistons, they converted only 14.3% of their three-point attempts, and their defensive performance has been problematic — conceding an average of 96.5 points per game in the NBA Summer League.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are in a far stronger position: wins over the Miami Heat (105:98) and the Phoenix Suns (98:80) have shown the squad is ready to compete. They have improved its perimeter shooting, converting 43.3% of three-point attempts against the Phoenix Suns. Kobe Bufkin and Jacob Toppin have combined for 73 points across the two games. Even in the absence of Eli Ndiaye, who may return, the Atlanta Hawks have the tools to apply pressure and control the tempo. The squad is averaging 101.5 points per game in the tournament.
Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction
The Atlanta Hawks are clearly in better form at this stage. They are scoring more consistently, playing with greater structure, and have better depth. Given the defensive vulnerabilities of the Houston Rockets, the Hawks are well-positioned to secure the win.
