Pistons vs. Rockets prediction and odds for NBA Summer League (Pistons have advantage

The Houston Rockets won their first Las Vegas Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on a game-winning three by Jabari Smith Jr., but it came at a price. 

No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson sprained his ankle in the win, and that will sideline him for the remainder of the Summer League. 

For NBA fans, this is really unfortunate since Sunday’s matchup between the Rockets and Detroit Pistons was set to be a head-to-head matchup between the Thompson twins (Amen and Ausar). 

Instead, only Ausar Thompson, the No. 5 overall pick by the Pistons, will suit up in this one. 

Detroit is set as a slight favorite, but how should we wager on this game? 

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While Houston won its Summer League opener even though Thompson went down, it took a shoulder injury to No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson to help the Rockets win. 

As long as the Pistons stay healthy – and I hope they do – they should have an advantage in this game. 

Detroit has a bunch of young talent that has played at the NBA level participating in Summer League, including Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, James Wiseman and Isaiah Liver (who did not play in the team’s first game). 

The Pistons picked up an 11-point win over Orlando in their opener on Saturday even though Ivey shot just 5-for-19 from the field. 

Houston has plenty of NBA talent as well, headlined by Tari Eason and Smith Jr., but I question if this team is going to be able to keep up without Amen Thompson. 

The guard talent for the Pistons is superior with Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser, who I’ll roll with them to win this game. 

Pick: Pistons ML (-115)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.