Rockets vs. Cavaliers prediction and odds for NBA Summer League Final
By Peter Dewey
![Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore. Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_552/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01h5j2dmgx74v6y0mc4y.jpg)
The Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers have both been perfect in the Las Vegas Summer League, and one of them will remain undefeated and be crowned the Summer League champion on Monday night.
Cleveland advanced to the final after beating the Brooklyn Nets in overtime on Sunday. Isaiah Mobley (23 points) and Emoni Bates (20 points) led the way for Cleveland in the win.
Houston had a much easier time in its semifinal matchup, beating the Utah Jazz 115-101. First-round pick Cam Whitmore had another big game, scoring 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting in the win.
These two squads didn’t have a common opponent in Las Vegas, but Cleveland has kept its Summer League team intact, mainly centered around Mobley, Bates, Sharife Cooper and Sam Merrill.
Does that help the Cavs cover in this game as favorites? Here are the latest odds and my best bet for the Las Vegas Summer League Final on Monday:
Rockets vs. Cavaliers odds, spread and total
Spread
- Rockets +3 (-110)
- Cavaliers -3 (-110)
Moneyline
- Rockets: +130
- Cavaliers: -150
Total
- 189.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Odds are available via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Rockets vs. Cavaliers prediction and pick
Cleveland doesn’t have a first-round pick from the 2023 NBA Draft on its Summer League roster, but the team hasn’t needed it with Bates, Mobley, Cooper and Merrill all having their moments.
The Cavs are likely favored in this game since Houston has dropped so many players off of its roster, but the Rockets have continued to thrive despite losing lottery talent.
It’s an impressive feat for the team, and Whitmore has been showing that it may have been a mistake by teams to let him fall all the way to Houston in the late part of the first round in the draft.
Houston did roll on Sunday because it made 19 shots from beyond the arc, and while that is likely not sustainable, I do think this team can cover in the title game.
I expect this to be a closer matchup with both teams seeking an undefeated summer, and the Cavs have three wins by four or fewer points so far.
If Houston is as good as its shown in Las Vegas, there’s no reason the spread should be this wide.
Pick: Rockets +3 (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.