Ayton outshines Bamba, leads Suns 3-0 Summer League mark
Cavaliers hold off Pacers 93-88
LAS VEGAS, July 10, (AP): Deandre Ayton is having no problem with the competition or the schedule at the NBA level.
Ayton outplayed a fellow top rookie big man for the second time, keeping the Phoenix Suns undefeated in preliminary play in Las Vegas.
Another full day of basketball Monday, highlighted by Ayton against Orlando’s Mo Bamba in a matchup of unbeaten teams, was the third game in four days for the 20 teams in action at the NBA Summer League. The games are shorter than a regular NBA game — 40 minutes instead of 48 — and there’s no travel, but it’s still a lot of action in a short amount of time.
Some teams even gave players a rest day during the stretch of games, knowing there will be more ahead. Every team is guaranteed five games, with the possibility of playing as many as eight games in 12 days.
Ayton didn’t look like he needed a break after scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Suns’ 71-53 victory over the Magic. The No. 1 pick said it was his first victory over
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns is guarded by Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, in Las Vegas,
Nevada. (AFP)
Thunder 92, Raptors 82 Rashawn Thomas and P.J. Dozier scored 17 points apiece for the Thunder (2-1), who have won two straight games after losing their first 11 games in the Summer League, dating to when the franchise was based in Seattle. Thomas also grabbed 12 rebounds.
Kevin Hervey added 12 points and Dakari Johnson finished with 10 while also getting into an exchange with Toronto’s O.G. Anunoby in which both received technical fouls.
Pistons 105, Pelicans 97 Henry Ellenson had 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as Detroit (1-2) avoided going winless in preliminary play. The former lottery pick also had two steals but committed six turnovers.
Bruce Brown and Khyri Thomas each added 12 points for the Pistons.
Cheick Diallo scored 25 points in the Pelicans’ first loss in Las Vegas. Walter Lemmon Jr and Shavon Shields each finished with 14 points for New Orleans (2-1).
Wizards 87, 76ers 75 Troy Brown Jr scored 23 points and Devin Robinson had 22 to help the Wizards (1-2) win the game matching teams that entered play winless.
Thomas Bryant finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Furkan Korkmaz, who had a 40-point game earlier this week, was 0 for 9 from the field and finished with one point for the 76ers (0-3). Rookie Zhaire Smith was 1 for 9 for two points.
Celtics 100, Hornets 80 Jabari Bird and Jarrod Uthoff each scored 16 points for the Celtics (2-1). Guerschon Yabusele had 14 points and eight rebounds, and Semi Ojeleye chipped in 13 points and seven boards.
Rookie Robert Williams III sat out with a bruised left knee.
Rookie Miles Bridges scored 20 points for the Hornets (2-1).
Mavericks 91, Warriors 71 Phil Greene scored 16 points in the Mavericks’ easy victory. Mitchell Creek added 13 points.
Dennis Smith Jr. sat out for the Mavericks (2-1) on the day No. 3 pick Luka Doncic signed his contract.
Josh Magette and Kendrick Nunn were the only players in double figures with 10 points for the Warriors (1-2), who rested Jordan Bell.
Nuggets 90, Bucks 83 Monte Morris led the unbeaten Nuggets (3-0) with 20 points and eight assists.
Sterling Brown scored 27 points, going 11 of 18 from the field, for the Bucks (1-2).
Rockets 104, Clippers 90 De’Anthony Melton scored 26 points, making five 3-pointers, to keep the Rockets (3-0) unbeaten.
Melton added 10 rebounds and five assists, while Vincent Edwards added 20 points and eight boards. Zhou Qi finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots.