Two teams will enter the arena tonight, but only one will emerge as the 2023 NBA Summer League champions.
Putting their 5-0 record on the line, the Houston Rockets have to feel confident about their chances. After a nailbiter to open their Vegas run, the Rockets have won the last four games by double digits. No team is averaging more points per game than Houston, who has hit 100 in all five contests for a 110.2-point average.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be facing them, bringing their own immaculate 5-0 record into the arena. Getting here wasn’t quite as smooth for the Cavs, who required overtime to win yesterday. Still, Cleveland is tied with the Rockets for this year’s best point differential.
Rockets vs. Cavaliers Betting Odds
| Team | Run Line | Total | Money Line |
| Rockets | +2.0 (-110) | Over 192.5 (-110) | +110 |
| Cavaliers | -2.0 (-110) | Under 192.5 (-110) | -130 |
Match Details
Fixture: Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Date and Time: Monday, July 17, 2023, 9:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
Injury Report
Neither team had submitted an official injury report to the NBA office as of 1:30 p.m. EST.
Starting 5s
Rockets: PG – Trevor Hudgins, SG – Nathaniel Hinton, SF – Jermaine Samuels, PF – Cam Whitmore, C – Darius Days
Cavaliers: PG – Craig Porter Jr., SG – Sam Merrill, SF – Luke Travers, PF – Emoni Bates, C – Isaiah Mobely
Rockets vs. Cavaliers Prediction
Offense wins games, which is how the Rockets have gotten to this point. However, the rest of the saying lends credence to the Cavs winning tonight, because defense wins championships. Cleveland hasn’t had the top defensive unit in Vegas, but they’re top-five and allowing 12.4 fewer points per game than the Rockets. Their coaching staff and organization know how important defense is, considering that they made the playoffs on the strength of the NBA’s best defensive rating. The Cavaliers also have a noticeable size advantage in this game, which should serve them well. The Cavs win and cover to close out an undefeated Summer League season.
