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We’ve reached the point in the summer where betting on NBA basketball has once again become possible. 

NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas tipped off on Friday, and even though it doesn’t feature the same level of talent that graces your television from October to mid-June, there is still value there.

Of course, there is a higher level of risk associated with putting money down on prospects fighting for their lives in the professional ranks, so we’ve made sure to include a couple baseball picks for those seeking a little bit more stability.

San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers NBA Summer League

Two lottery picks who are far from strangers will be going head-to-head on Saturday when Stephon Castle’s Spurs collide with Donovan Clingan’s Trail Blazers.

Both Castle, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, and Clingan, the seventh overall pick, played a major role in helping UConn secure its second straight national championship back in April.

But now the two are competing against each other, and Saturday marks the first time that either one of them gets to display their talents on an NBA floor.

San Antonio’s Summer League roster also includes a handful of other talented rookies, including North Carolina State’s DJ Horne, Texas A&M’s Tyrece Radford, North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram and Texas Christian’s Jameer Nelson Jr.

There’s a lot of high-level scorers in this one, and if you’re willing to be that person who has action on Summer League basketball, this is the game for you.

The pick: Over 170.5 total points, -110 (DraftKings)

Colorado Rockies at New York Mets

Citi Field was a launching pad on Friday, with New York clubbing five homers in a 7-6 victory over Colorado.

And we think the Mets have more gas in the tank.

After a modest three-game skid that lasted from July 3-5, New York has won six of seven games and is currently riding a four-game winning streak. Over those past four games, the Mets have recorded an average margin of victory of 3.5 runs.

Ryan Feltner will toe the rubber on Saturday for the Rockies, who are 5-13 in games the right-hander starts. In the past three games in which Feltner has gotten the nod, Colorado has gone 0-3, losing by an average of 4.3 runs.

Don’t bet against the Grimace Mets. It won’t end well.

The pick: Mets -1.5 spread, -105 (DraftKings)

Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres

Starting pitchers have had their way with San Diego as of late.

Currently laboring through a five-game losing streak, the Padres have seen each of the past four starters they have faced last at least six innings.

Things aren’t about to get easier on Saturday, either.

Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez is scheduled to take the mound for Atlanta. He’s gone 7-2 while posting a 1.71 ERA this season, completing at least six innings in nine of his 16 starts in 2024.

Lopez should have no problem flirting with a quality start against a scuffling San Diego team, and at plus-money, overlooking this line would be criminal.

The pick: Reynaldo Lopez over 16.5 outs recorded, -135 (DraftKings)