Preview: Spurs vs. 76ers – Summer League Game #7
Tyson Ward and the Spurs try to continue their winning ways (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs will look to go a perfect 4-0 in the Las Vegas summer league when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. The Spurs lost two of their three summer league games in Sacramento before their fortunes turned in Nevada.
To stay alive in their quest to win the summer league championship, the Spurs will need to defeat the Sixers. Philadelphia enters the game tonight with a record of 2-1.
San Antonio is an underdog tonight but they’ve been an underdog for most of summer league. After rookie guard Stephon Castle was ruled out after the first game in Vegas, the Spurs haven’t been favored since.
Two-Way Contracts Candidates for the Spurs
Currently, the Spurs only have Jamaree Bouyea signed to a two-way contract. NBA teams are allowed to have up to three players on a two-way, which means the Spurs have a couple decisions to make.
One obvious candidate for a two-way contract is Harrison Ingram. The second round pick out of North Carolina has yet to sign a deal with the Spurs. After inking Sandro Mamukelashvili and Charles Bassey, the Spurs don’t have any regular roster spots left. That likely means San Antonio will attempt to make Ingram their second two-way player.
Who will the Spurs select to be their third two-way player? On the summer league team, there are a few candidates. Riley Minix returned from a dislocated shoulder last game and shot the ball really well on his way to 16 points and four assists in 20 minutes. Donovan Williams has played some point guard for the Spurs at 6-foot-6 and had 15 points, five assists and three rebounds last time out.
A third candidate is Tyson Ward, a soon to be 27-year-old who played last season in France. At 6-foot-6, he too has played some point guard for the summer league Spurs. He has a quick release on his jumper and his long limbs and quick feet make him an intriguing defensive prospect.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. 76ers
The Sixers are favored by 1.5 points, even though the Spurs are undefeated in Vegas. Philadelphia’s summer league squad is led by the combination of Jared McCain and Ricky Council IV. McCain, a first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is an elite shooting prospect, while Council is an athletic dynamo who will be entering his second season in the NBA.
As well as the Spurs have played in summer league lately, this is probably where their undefeated Vegas ride ends. On paper, the Sixers have too much offensive firepower. Bet on the 76ers winning by two or more points.