NBA Summer League 2016: Thursday Schedule, Latest Las Vegas Bracket and Stats
The first day of playoff action at the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League came and went in a flash, and the field of championship competitors has been trimmed to 16 teams with things heating up in the desert.
The updated matchups for Thursday's second-round games can be viewed below, while the tournament bracket is available at the league's official website. Consolation tournament play is scheduled to pick up on Friday.
| No. 10 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 7 Washington Wizards | 4 p.m. |
| No. 24 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies | 4:30 p.m. |
| No. 12 Miami Heat vs. No. 5 Phoenix Suns | 6 p.m. |
| No. 22 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets | 6:30 p.m. |
| No. 13 Utah Jazz vs. No. 4 Denver Nuggets | 8 p.m. |
| No. 15 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 2 Chicago Bulls | 8:30 p.m. |
| No. 16 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 1 Toronto Raptors | 10 p.m. |
| No. 14 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
With spots in the quarterfinals on the line, here are some of the Las Vegas Summer League's most outstanding performers to keep an eye on Thursday evening.
DeAndre Bembry, F, Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Bembry was something of an unheralded selection by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of June's draft, but he has validated his status as a draft sleeper with a few strong efforts in Sin City.
A playmaker on and off the ball, Bembry opened his summer-league slate with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists against the Houston Rockets, and he followed that up with a seven-point, seven-assist effort versus the Washington Wizards.
Wednesday, Bembry came up large again with nine points, three assists and two steals in an 81-61 win over the Sacramento Kings to set up a second-round date with the Wizards.
"I feel like I’m a little different," Bembry said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore. "Kent Bazemore, I think you can compare me to him. A little bit bigger guard, can slash to the rim. I feel like I can fit very well with the Hawks—get out and run, make good decisions, play team basketball. That’s probably the biggest reason they like me."
Thursday should represent a good early litmus test for Bembry, who figures to have his hands full with Kelly Oubre Jr. and a Wizards team that's 2-1 in Vegas thus far.
Bobby Portis, F, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls reconstructed their roster in a big way this summer, so don't be surprised if 2015 first-round pick Bobby Portis emerges as a breakout star during his second NBA season.
A tenacious presence on both ends of the floor, Portis is averaging 14.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, one steal and one block in three games following a shaky inaugural NBA campaign.
"I'm trying to be more composed, not rush into my shot," Portis said, per the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. "That was the biggest lesson for me last year. I've always been a guy that the ball goes to. For me to be the third, fourth or fifth option, it's been hard for me."
The Bulls played their way into a first-round bye in the summer-league playoffs by going 3-0 prior to the tournament stage, so Portis should be plenty fresh when Chicago takes on the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
Look for the former Arkansas Razorback to feast on a Mavericks frontcourt that couldn't handle the length of Milwaukee Bucks big man Thon Maker on Wednesday.
Ben Simmons, F, Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons sat out Wednesday's game against the D-League Select squad to rest, but the Philadelphia 76ers were able to thrive without the No. 1 overall pick, capturing a 108-71 win to set up a second-round date with the Brooklyn Nets.
And assuming the Sixers have their sights set on a Vegas title, Simmons should return to the lineup with a chance to advance to the tournament's final eight.
The former LSU standout hasn't lit up box scores with loads of points through three appearances in Las Vegas, but his playmaking skills have been far and away the most impressive of any player participating in the tournament:
To wit: Simmons has tallied at least six assists in two of his three Vegas games, and he's flirted with a triple-double twice this summer. The first time came against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he posted eight points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. The second instance came Tuesday night, when he stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, eight boards and six helpers versus the Golden State Warriors.
"I just try to make the right plays," Simmons said Tuesday, per ESPN.com's Justin Verrier. "Whatever they give me I take. Every time I'm out there I'm trying to contribute, whether it's possible, [in] scoring or defensively."
Simmons still has plenty of room to grow when it comes to picking defenses apart on catch-and-shoot jumpers, but his instincts and basketball IQ alone should make him the clear-cut favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Consider him the No. 1 player to watch Thursday.
Stats courtesy of NBA.com.
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