NBA Summer League 2015: Friday Game Times, Full Las Vegas Schedule and Rosters
The Utah Summer League has concluded and the Orlando Summer League is winding down, which means it's time for 24 teams to suit up for July's biggest basketball exhibition out in Sin City.
Play in Las Vegas will get underway Friday afternoon with six games, one of which features the top two picks from June's NBA draft.
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Youngsters competing in the Vegas tournament this year will be tracked more intently than ever thanks to some new advanced statistical initiatives backed by the NBA, according to an official press release:
"All 67 games in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas will have so-called "hustle stats" officially tracked, a nod to the league's evolving reliance on analytics and all the things besides scoring that help decide the outcome of games. A trained crew will chart 2-pointers contested, 3-pointers contested, deflections, loose balls recovered and charges taken.
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With Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, D'Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis and lottery picks galore slated to hit the Vegas hardwood, we're here to preview Friday's most notable contests.
A complete rundown of the Las Vegas Summer League schedule can be found here, courtesy of USA Today. ESPN.com also provided a comprehensive rundown of every Vegas roster.
| Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Pelicans | 6 p.m. ET | Cox Pavilion | NBA TV | Summer League Live |
| Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors | 6:30 p.m. ET | Thomas & Mack Center | NBA TV | Summer League Live |
| Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets | 8 p.m. ET | Cox Pavilion | NBA TV | Summer League Live |
| Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 8:30 p.m. ET | Thomas & Mack Center | NBA TV | Summer League Live |
| D-League Select vs. Houston Rockets | 10 p.m. ET | Cox Pavilion | NBA TV | Summer League Live |
| Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | 10:30 p.m. ET | Thomas & Mack Center | NBA TV | Summer League Live |
Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors, 6:30 p.m. ET
The Sacramento Kings added a new frontcourt partner for DeMarcus Cousins in the draft, opting to select Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein at No. 6 overall.
And while Cousins dominates opponents with strength and scoring prowess, Cauley-Stein is an athletic freak capable of changing the complexion of Sacramento's defense.
At 7'1'' and 242 pounds, Cauley-Stein possesses unthinkable quickness and length that allow him to defend every position.
"For me to see the floor (I have to) do what got me here, being a defensive stopper, flying around, bringing a lot of energy," Cauley-Stein said, according to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones (via KentuckySports.com). "Then as the year progresses, or the next couple of years progress, and the more work I get with the coaches, that's when the offense is really going to develop."
Like fellow Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel before him, Cauley-Stein should have no problem making his presence felt upon arrival. Since he has the hops necessary to be a disruptive force around the rim, Cauley-Stein should be able to deter dribble-drives and easy looks.
Factor in a few lob flushes via pick-and-roll opportunities, and the 21-year-old should have opportunities aplenty to contribute.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets, 8 p.m. ET
All eyes will be on Denver Nuggets first-round pick Emmanuel Mudiay when he gets his first taste of NBA action against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
"I didn't go to college, so everybody is kind of sleeping on me, I guess you can say," Mudiay said, according to the Denver Post's Christopher Dempsey. "But, you know, let them keep sleeping. I'm just going to go out there and play my game and do what I've been doing since I was six years old."
One person who's not overlooking what Mudiay brings to the table? Head coach Mike Malone.
"I told him, 'This is your team,'" Malone said, per Dempsey. "This is a great opportunity for him to step up right away and establish that. 'Be a leader of the team, use your voice.' I think that's going to come. I think he is just a natural leader."
That's some serious backing.
Early draft projections had Mudiay pegged as a top-five selection, but he ultimately fell to the Nuggets at No. 7 overall after the New York Knicks opted for Porzingis at No. 4, the Orlando Magic selected Mario Hezonja at No. 5 and the Sacramento Kings went big with Cauley-Stein at No. 6.
Now Mudiay has a chance to start writing his NBA story by making an authoritative opening statement against Mike Muscala and the Hawks.
If his scouting report is any indication, expect Mudiay to provide some crafty finishes around the rim and plenty of speed in the open floor as Denver seeks to push the pace under Malone.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m. ET
The evening's main event.
Right off the bat, fans will be treated to a clash between No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns and No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell.
With all eyes on the draft's top selection, the pressure will be on Towns to display the modernized skill set that sent his stock soaring throughout the predraft process.
"He could post 20-20 games or he could struggle to score," Zach Harper wrote for A Wolf Among Wolves. "It doesn’t really matter. I want to see the jumper that was advertised. I want to see the pick-and-roll ability. I want to see how he communicates on defense. Watching him this close will be a fun look into what kind of a leader he might be, even for a rookie."
Towns was rarely the featured scorer on a Kentucky team loaded with top-tier talent, so summer league should afford him a stellar opportunity to stand out. Proficient with his back to the basket, facing up or hitting jumpers out of pick-and-pops, Towns should flaunt his deep arsenal of skills right off the bat.
The same holds true for Russell.
Billed as a pick-and-roll dynamo out of Ohio State who can thread the needle, attack the basket or knock down pull-up jumpers with poise and aplomb, Russell should have no problem adjusting to the speed of summer league play.
Especially with 2014 first-round pick Julius Randle by his side.
"Julius, that dude's a beast, man," Russell said, according to the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus. "I feel like we're going to work the pick-and-roll."
With Russell, Randle and 2014-15 First Team All-Rookie selection Jordan Clarkson suiting up for the Purple and Gold, the Lakers are a solid bet to bring home a summer title.
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