Group play has wrapped up in the NBA 2K26 Summer League, and the semifinals bracket is set as the Raptors, Thunder, Hornets, and Kings fight to make it to the championship.
While those teams await their fate on Saturday, there will be plenty of action tonight for teams who fell short of making the playoff picture.
We'll target the Utah Jazz taking on the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers going up against the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Los Angeles Lakers trying to go out with a bang versus the Denver Nuggets.
Let's dive into my NBA Summer League predictions and free betting picks for Friday, July 18.
NBA Summer League best bets for July 18
Jazz +1 (-110)
Pacers moneyline (+140)
Lakers -2.5 (-115)- 💲+707 parlay💲
NBA Summer League predictions
Jazz +1 (-110 at bet365)
The Utah Jazz finally got over the hump and secured their first win of the summer over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Due to that, I'm going to ride with them again as they meet the Chicago Bulls in their Summer League finale.
The Jazz are feeling themselves, as they should, and they'll be going up against a Bulls team that is on the same wavelength with a 2-2 record while on a two-game win streak.
Utah can out-rebound, facilitate better, and even rack up more steals as they beat out the Bulls in those key statistical categories. And lest we forget they have Kyle Filipowski, who is averaging 16.4 points per game — if the coaches decide to play him tonight.
If Filipowski is unavailable, then Cody Williams will have no problem picking up the slack after leading all scorers with a 23-point performance in Wednesday's win.
The spread is slim, but I'm backing the underdog to come through with the victory and send the Bulls home bitter.
Pacers moneyline (+140 at bet365)
The New Orleans Pelicans haven't been able to get on track in Vegas, and that won't change tonight as they face the Indiana Pacers for their summer conclusion.
The Pelicans are 0-4 and find themselves at the very bottom of the standings alongside the Rockets and Magic.
The Pacers, on the other hand, enter tonight's matchup at 2-2 and are on a high from their narrow 91-88 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday.
When it comes to offense, the Pacers are miles ahead of the Pelicans with an average of 99.3 points per game on 48.7% shooting in comparison to New Orleans' 85 point average on a 38.5 field goal percentage.
Minimizing the Pelicans on the boards will be where most of Indiana's work will come tonight, and as long as they can control them there, then the Pacers will move to finishing above .500 and keep the Pels winless.
Go for the moneyline as Indiana will show them who's boss.
Lakers -2.5 (-115 at bet365)
Last but not least, the Summer League version of the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers will end Friday night's slate against the Denver Nuggets. I'm setting my sights on Bronny James giving the Lake Show a boost to cover this spread.
James has been showing much growth while in Vegas with an average of 14.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game throughout the competition. He's been the Lakers' leading scorer in their last two contests, and I'm counting on him to continue that trend this evening.
Much like the Lakers, the Nuggets sport a 1-3 record in the competition. But with James finding himself in rhythm — I'll bank in on the Purple and Gold to come out on top in this matchup.
Lay the points with the Lakers to rack in another win behind Bronny doing his thing.
Friday’s NBA Summer League parlay
Jazz +1
Pacers moneyline
Lakers -2.5
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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