Las Vegas Summer League Final Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Miami Heat

When: 7:00 PM CST, Monday, July 22nd, 2024

Where: Las Vegas Summer League, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

How to Watch/Stream: ESPN and ESPN+

It’s here folks. The Las Vegas Summer League Final.

And the Memphis Grizzlies are in it. And that feels pretty damn good.

It will be a battle of two “cultures” tonight. As “Grizzlies Culture” takes on “Heat Culture” with the title of Summer League Champ on the line.

Each team remains undefeated. Each has rookies—as well as “veterans”—that have led the charge to get their respective teams here.

And each should treat us to a good bit of hoops tonight. At least that’s what I’m hoping for. Regardless, there’s plenty to look forward to in tonight’s contest. Let’s see if the Grizzlies can start the 2024 season off with a title.

A Summer League one, sure… But still a title.

2 Things I’m Looking Forward To…

Scotty Pippen Jr., Summer League MVP?

Heading in to the semifinals yesterday Memphis had two candidates. Two candidates with a realistic shot at winning Summer League MVP. That was yesterday.

Now? With the finals tonight? I’d say that list of two has dwindled down to one.

That’s how important Scotty Pippen Jr. was yesterday.

And believe me, it seems like he did everything possible to separate himself. From GG Jackson II—the other horse the Grizzlies have in the race—who had been hanging with him. Now?

Well, after Scotty’s performance in the semis… He’s likely Memphis’ best shot at winning Summer League MVP. Here are his averages in five Vegas games….

Scotty Pippen Jr. dropped a TRIPLE DOUBLE to lead the @memgrizz to the #NBA2KSummerLeague Championship!

23 PTS | 10 REB | 10 AST pic.twitter.com/WazhLJEMjS
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2024

20.0 PTS, 5.0 REB, 8.2 AST, and 3.2 STL in 29.4 minutes per game. While shooting the ball with 49.2/41.2/87.9% splits. He’s flirting real close to the 50/40/90 club, and yesterday?

Well yesterday Pippen Jr. became only the sixth player in Summer League history. The sixth player to notch a triple double. Pretty damn good.

Should he continue to ball out tonight? It will bolster his MVP chances in a big way. Either way I imagine it leads to some excellent hooping out of Scotty. And that’s worth tuning in to.

More of this Jaylen Wells, please and thank you

Alright, time to talk about Jaylen Wells.

With Zach Edey and Cam Spencer each shut down there was one rookie left… One for us to hone in on. And for his part?

Well after middling performances—no shade—so far through Summer League, last night was it. It being a revelation.

Jaylen Wells vs LA Clippers (Summer League Semifinal)

28 points
3 rebounds
2 assists
1 steal
0 turnovers
9/12 FG
6/7 3pt
4/4 FT
38 minutes played pic.twitter.com/6yNtAN1Ty7
— Chip Williams (@chipwilliamsjr) July 21, 2024

Jaylen’s stat line yesterday? 28 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, and 1 STL in 39 minutes. That’s while shooting the ball 9 of 12 from the field and 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.

Wells—behind Pippen Jr.—was the primary reason Memphis won this game.

And they’ll need him to do his best to replicate this production. If they hope to snag the dub tonight.

…And 1 Thing I’m Not

Comfortable GG Jackson II

I’m going to keep this short beacuse I’m not trying to gang up on anybody…

But it’s clear GG Jackson II has gotten… Let’s say comfortable.

Most of the guys playing in Summer League, are playing like their jobs depend on it. That’s because their jobs do in most cases. Most of these dudes don’t have guaranteed contracts.

That’s what they’re out here hooping for.

GG? Well he’s got an NBA contract. There’s no reason for him to play like his job is on the line… Because it’s not.

Look, there’s no doubting that Jackson II is an elite scorer. On every level. Elite.

He’s exactly the player Memphis has been in a desperate search for in the draft for years. And he’s going to be a main contributor to this roster for a long, long time.

There’s no questioning that. Is there a little bit of questioning his want to be playing in Vegas though? I’d say a tiny bit yes…

Photo Credit: (Candice Ward/Getty Images)