Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA Summer League match.
While the key stars of the newly crowned NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, enjoy a well-earned off-season break, their younger talent is currently competing in Salt Lake City for a chance to earn a roster spot. However, their campaign has gotten off to a disappointing start. In their opening match, they suffered an 80:92 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Philadelphia 76ers
It turns out the decision by the Philadelphia 76ers to write off last season was not without merit. The team secured the third overall pick in the draft and selected VJ Edgecombe, who made an immediate impact in his debut against the Utah Jazz (89:93), posting 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Johni Broome also impressed, contributing 13 points and five rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. The centre could emerge as one of the league’s breakout surprises, particularly in light of ongoing injury concerns surrounding Joel Embiid, who clearly needs a dependable backup option.
Oklahoma City Thunder
This tournament holds limited importance for the Oklahoma City Thunder. In their first outing, Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topić logged the most minutes — both of them were already part of last season’s rotation. Unsurprisingly, they were the only players to score in double figures. It’s clear the coaching staff is focused on assessing the full depth of the squad, but with more than 10 players involved, establishing any sort of consistent rotation is proving unmanageable. The substitutions resemble ice hockey line changes more than structured basketball tactics.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Philadelphia 76ers have a distinct motivational advantage, with players like VJ Edgecombe eager to make their mark. In contrast, the top prospects for the Oklahoma City Thunder are unlikely to push themselves in a competition that holds minimal significance for the team. Motivation will be the decisive factor here, and we’re backing a win for the 76ers.
