Day 9 of the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League means its playoff time, as the top eight teams are set to square off.
.@MGMResortsIntl #NBASummer ✨playoffs✨ begin Saturday!
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 13, 2019
Tix: https://t.co/NgDc87nQUn pic.twitter.com/MgyUvDlWOh
As the quarterfinals begin, there are a number of top individual performers – and overall teams – to keep an eye on as they each compete to win the Vegas Summer League crown.
For more on what to watch in each game, we've got you covered below.
No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 1 Boston Celtics
The Celtics are the No. 1 overall seed for a reason.
Carsen Edwards, who was selected with the No. 33 overall pick in this year's draft, has been Boston's standout performer through four games. The 6-foot-1 guard has averaged a team-high 18.0 points while shooting an efficient 52.1% from the field to lead the way. In addition to Edwards, rookies Grant Williams (13.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Tacko Fall (8.5 ppg in 14.0 mpg) have made headlines for the Celtics.
It's been a team effort for the Grizzlies, who have six players averaging over 10 points per game this summer. Yuta Watanabe leads the way in averaging 13.5 points over two games, but the difference maker has been Brandon Clarke, who is averaging 11.3 points per game in the three games he has played in since the Grizzlies officially acquired him.
Look for Edwards to continue his prolific scoring ways while the Grizzlies search for a way to slow him down.
No. 5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4 New Orleans Pelicans
These two teams finished neck-and-neck in the standings, and this could prove to be the most exciting game of the day as both Miami and New Orleans have exciting crops of young talent.
The Heat used the No. 13 overall pick in this year's draft to take sharpshooter Tyler Herro, who has proven to be worth the selection and then some. Herro is averaging 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists through four games. Herro and Kendrick Nunn have formed quite the duo, as Nunn is looking to make his case for a roster spot with averages of 21.0 points, 6.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in his first four games.
New Orleans, on the other hand, has three selections from this year's draft worth keeping an eye on – Nickeil Alexander-Walker (No. 17 overall) is averaging 24.5 points (on 52.7% shooting), 7.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks through his first two games, Jaxson Hayes (No. 8 overall) has posted averages of 20.5 points (on 69.5% shooting), 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks and Didi Louzada (no. 35 overall) is averaging 12.0 points (on 50.0%) shooting. The trio has been good for a few highlights as well.
There will be no shortage of talent in this one, meaning this meeting could very well be highly-contested.
No. 7 Brooklyn Nets vs. No. 2 Detroit Pistons
As the Pistons and Nets face off, some talent from last year's draft will be on display.
For Detroit, Bruce Brown (No. 42 overall pick, 2018) has made his imprint by affecting the game at all levels. Through four games, the 6-foot-5 combo guard is averaging 13.5 points, 8.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game, recording a triple-double in the Pistons' 15-point win over the Sixers to close out pool play. As Brown continues to focus on developing as a point guard, he'll look to have a similar impact against Brooklyn.
The Nets have been led by the duo of Dzanan Musa (No. 29 overall pick, 2018) and Rodions Kurucs (No. 40 overall pick, 2018), who have each appeared in all four games to post double-figure scoring averages. Jarrett Allen, who started for the Nets throughout the regular-season and postseason, is also playing for Brooklyn this summer and has stood out as one of the premier big men in the tournament.
With plenty of league-level talent on display, the Nets and Pistons meeting has the makings of a high-quality matchup.
No. 6 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves
Along with Boston and Detroit, Minnesota went undefeated through four games.
The Wolves have been led by a pair of second-year players in Keita Bates-Diop and Josh Okogie, who look to have an increased role next season. In addition to that duo, undrafted rookie Naz Reid (10.8 ppg, 50.0 FG%) and Aussie guard Mitch Creek (10.5 ppg, 54.5 FG%) have been both efficient and effective for Minnesota.
Dallas is led by 2015 lottery pick Cameron Payne, who is working to find his niche in the league. In three games, the 24-year-old Payne is averaging a team-high 20.0 points per game (on 51.4% shooting) to go along with 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. In addition to Payne, Antonious Cleveland has stood out by averaging 15.8 points per game (on 62.5% shooting) through four games. Kostas Antetokounmpo, younger brother of 2019 MVP Giannis, who has appeared in all four games and has tremendous upside as a young, rangy athlete.
Minnesota looks to advance to the semifinals by earning their fifth-straight win in Vegas.
