Vegas Summer League Schedule: 5 Games with Regular-Season Implications

As the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas winds down to a close, there are still some games on the schedule that are worth watching. Teams use this league as a way to check out rookies and round out depth on their bench, for the most part, and there are plenty of teams that could use that to get them over the final hurdle.

One game that stands out is the battle for the City of Angels, when the Clippers take on the Lakers.  Both teams have a lot riding on next season, so you know that this game is going to be a complete and utter dogfight given the two teams' divisional rivalry.

Naturally, there are other games out in Vegas that could potentially mean something come the start of the regular season, so the teams in the soon-to-be-mentioned contests had better be ready!

Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

These two face off on Friday night, and while they may only face each other once or twice during the regular season, this has the potential to be an NBA Finals matchup. More importantly, both teams could use the bench help, particularly since one of them could very well finish with the best record in the NBA come season's end.

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Denver and Portland also face off on Friday night, and this game could have a lot of regular season implications because both teams play in the NBA Northwest Division.  It may not seem like a big game, particularly since Denver made the postseason last year and Portland is rebuilding, but don't be so quick to write it off.

Both teams are showcasing some fine rookies, and Portland has some good ones in Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard.

SImply put, this could be a divisional dogfight just waiting to happen.

Mavericks vs. Spurs

Simply put, everyone loves a battle for state pride. The Spurs are coming off of a great year, while the Mavericks underachieved. With both teams needing some bench depth, watching their summer squads face off should be a great source of entertainment on Saturday.

Spurs vs. Clippers

While the Spurs need a little more depth on the bench, the Clippers are already a tremendously deep team. Both of these squads play in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, and the Clippers are in a prime position to make a lot of noise this year.

With their relative youth and the Spurs' commitment to experience with little reliance on the second unit, don't be surprised if the result from their game tonight spills over into the regular season.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

In another matchup of youth vs. experience, the Lakers-Clippers rivalry is about to reach a high boiling point. Both teams have made big moves this offseason, and their men in the Summer League are making cases to be part of the team in a greater role in the upcoming campaign.

That said, whichever team utilizes the second unit better entering the preseason could be in for a big year. Both teams have a lot on the line entering 2012-2013, so we'll just see what happens when they face off tomorrow night.