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The Summer League semifinals are today, and it's down to four teams, the Rockets, Jazz, Cavaliers and Nets.  In case you missed my last article, I discussed the odds and stats for the Cavaliers vs. Nets game today.  Both the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets are undefeated, and will play today at 6 PM EST, on ESPN2.  In this article, I will break down the latest gameplay, betting trends and stats related to this matchup.  If you are looking for the best betting odds, stats and analysis, here is information to know.

2K24 NBA Summer League Championship Odds:

*All odds courtesy of Draft Kings*

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets

Utah Jazz: +155
Houston Rockets: -180
Over/Under: 189 (-110)
Spread: Rockets -4.5 (-110)

Utah Jazz

Record: 4-0
Opponent Points Per Game: 94.8
Wins: LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns
PPG: 101.5 | FG: 48.5 % | 3 PT: 48.5 % | FT: 75.4 % | REB: 41 | AST: 26 | STL: 6.3 | BLK: 4 | TO: 17.8

The Utah Jazz are one of the remaining undefeated teams, and lost their rookie star, Keyonte George due to an injury.  The Jazz scored 33 points in the 4th quarter and fended off the Phoenix Suns 97-93.  In their final game, the Jazz had four starters with points in double figures, and Johnny Juzang got the start in place of George. Utah ranked second in the league in points averaged (101.5) and three-point percentage (37.2), first in three-point attempts (41), and field goal percentage (48.5).  In addition, the Jazz scored over 100 points games in a row, and their lowest score was at 96.  Although Utah has a high-powered offense, they finished fourth in point differential (+6.7).  Besides the game against the Timberwolves, the Jazz won their games by 7 games or less, and now have to play Houston with a player down.

Betting trends and Stats: 

The Utah Jazz won the money line in all four games and covered the spread only two times.  In Utah's 97-93 win against the Suns, Phoenix covered the spread, and the Nuggets covered in their 96-91 win.  Additionally, all four of their games hit the OVER.

Key Players

Johnny Juzang- 2022, undrafted player

Johnny Juzang got the nod for the start against the Phoenix Suns, after Keyonte George went down with a gruesome ankle injury.  Juzang has minimal experience in the NBA, but certainly performed last game.  Juzang led the Jazz with 24 points, 4 assists, and 7 rebounds. Furthermore, Juzang shot 7-16, and 3-9, in addition to 10 free-throw shots.  It's important to note Juzang QUIETLY scored 26 points in 25 minutes off the bench in their 108-96 win against the Timberwolves.  Johnny Juzang will need to step up in the absence of Keyonte George if Utah wants to advance to the summer finals.

Luka Samanic- 2019, 1st round, 19th overall pick (Spurs). 

Luka Samanic is showing why he was a first-round pick and has experience in both the NBA and G-league.  In three games, Samanic averaged 16.7 points, 7 rebounds, and shot 51 percent from the field, and 36.8 from three. Samanic has great size and has been one of the most consistent players for the Jazz.  Without Agbaji and George, Samanic scored 22 points in 27 minutes, along with 2 blocks, 1 steal, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds.  Samanic shot 50 percent from the three and had a good number of high-volume shots.  Look for him to have a big game tonight.  

Houston Rockets

Record: 4-0
Opponent Points Per Game: 98.3
Wins: Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers
PPG: 109 | FG: 47.6 % | 3 PT: 36.5 % | FT: 75.3 % | REB: 37 | AST: 20.8 | STL: 9.8 | BLK: 6.8 | TO: 13.7

The Houston Rockets will be without rookie Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason.  Without those players, Houston continued to win, and had a dominant performance against the Thunder, Pistons, and Warriors. Houston is had the number one offense in the league, and rookie Cam Whitmore is looking like a steal.  In fact, the Rockets scored over 100 points in all four of their games, and their point differential was +10.7.  Bottom line, the Rockets have a ton of young talent, who continue to hoop, even without three of their starters. No one has been able to defeat them, nor slow them down offensively.

Betting trends and Stats:

The Rockets won the money line in all four games and covered the spread in three.  In addition, all four of their games hit the OVER. 

Key Players

Cam Whitmore- Forward, 1st round 20th overall pick

Cam Whitmore is showing why he could've been a top 10 pick.  Whitmore played the summer with a chip on his shoulder and was a top 20 player this summer. In 4 games, Cam Whitmore averaged 19.4 points in 31.5 minutes played, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3.5 steals.  Although cold from the three, Whitmore found ways to score, and had 8 steals alone against the Warriors.  In that game, Cam had 26 points, 5 rebounds, and shot over 50 percent with those steals.  Whitmore does a little bit of everything on the court and is playing at an elite level.

Trevor Hudgins- Guard, 2022 undrafted player

Trevor Hudgins may have gotten lost in the rotation and had a rough couple of games; however, he emerged as a star in the final two games.   In his last few matchups, Hudgins averaged 28 points and 9 rebounds.   In those games, Hodgins shot 37.5 percent from the three, and 45 percent from the field.  Hudgins stepped up with the absence of Jabari Smith Jr., Eason, and Thompson. Trevor was aggressive and took high volume shots.  I except both Hudgins and Whitmore to be key factors in tonight's game.

Prediction:

Both of these teams are undefeated and missing key pieces in their starting lineups.  Despite these players absences, the Jazz and the Rockets remain the top offenses in the league, and both teams hit the over in all four of their games.  The Jazz are number one in field goal and three-point percentage, and the top team in assists.  I do want to say the Jazz will cover; however, I am going to go with totals on this one.  Both Houston and Utah average over 100 points, and I am going to take the OVER with this one. 

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