Bobcats 84 - Knicks 71
New York's first round pick Tim Hardaway Jr. did not play in this game as he sat with a splint on his bruised left wrist. He suffered the injury reaching for a loose ball on Sunday. X-rays came back negative and the injury doesn't seem series as the Knicks are calling him day-to-day. Knicks guard Iman Shumpert also missed the game to attend an NBA event in China. He also missed Sunday's game. Metta World Peace also didn't play, but he did confirm on the MSG telecast that he signed a two-year deal with New York. Oh, and as the Knicks were leaving they told reporters that J.R. Smith had knee surgery and won't play for possibly four months. It was pretty much classic Knicks.
But, enough about Knicks who didn't play in this game, there were players on both teams that showed up for this one. The Bobcats first round pick Cody Zeller led the way with 18 points (10 in the first half) on 7-of-11 shooting including an and-one on a pass from Patrick Ewing Jr. early in the second quarter. Zeller also stepped out and hit a jumper just inside the arc in the third quarter and even attempted a three pointer in the fourth. He played well offensively and was able to hang in on defense. Zeller should improve his defense and rebounding as he fills out his frame in the next few years.
Bismack Biyombo made his presence felt on the boards as he finished with nine rebounds (eight on the defensive end). Rookie Jeffrey Taylor had 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting, but went 7-of-10 from the free throw line. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist did just a little bit of everything as he had nine points, three rebounds, two steals, and one assist. He's very athletic, but he'll need to hone his skills on offense to be a guy to target in fantasy.
C.J. Leslie led the way for the Knicks with 15 points (13 in the first half). Leslie stood out in this one for creating plays with the ball in his hand and two put-backs off of his own misses. Point guard Toure Murry, who coach Mike Woodson mentioned as a possible camp invitee over the weekend, followed up a nice outing on Sunday with a bit of an inconsistent performance. Murry had eight points on 3-of-7 shooting, one assist, three steals, and two turnovers. He didn't play as much as he did on Sunday, but he still helped. Jeremy Tyler hurt his ankle before he was able to have an impact. Jerome Jordan, who played for New York during the 2011-12 regular season, chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench, but it looks like his defense has declined.
Despite the loss, the Knicks (1-2) will have at least two more games in the Las Vegas Summer League. Both teams have an off day on Tuesday.
Pelicans 66 - Cavaliers 62
Dion Waiters had a solid game with 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting, two assists, and five turnovers. Tyler Zeller was everywhere as he had a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and a block. Zeller is fighting for more playing time like most players in Summer League and he helped his cause with this performance today. Jermaine Taylor had 10 points and hit two shots from long range in 21 minutes.
Austin Rivers had 12 points on 5-for-12 from the field with two assists. Rivers is quick enough to get his shots and he also shows his speed on defense. Brian Roberts ran the point and had 12 points on 5-for-12 and six assists. Roberts contributed some last year, but he'll need likely injuries to clear the way for playing time this season as the Pelicans retooled. Lance Thomas, from Duke, had 14 points, 10 boards, and a steal.
Suns 91 - Timberwolves 89
Kendall Marshall was efficient as he had 13 points, six assists, no turnovers, and made three shots from downtown. Marshall made the most of his minutes, which is nice to see after battling injury during his last year at North Carolina. The Morris twins were active in this game combining for 40 points. Marcus Morris had the game-winning jumper as time expired. Dionte Christmas, a rookie from Temple, had 16 points in 29 minutes off the bench. The Suns were able to mount a comeback after Minnesota led 49-31 at half.
Robbie Hummel impressed once again for the Timberwolves. After a stellar college career at Purdue, Hummel has opened some eyes here in the Vegas Summer League. He had 18 points on 6-for-8 from the floor and seven rebounds. He also made both of the three pointers he attempted. Shabazz Muhammad chipped in with eight points and two boards in 22 minutes. He's obviously one to keep an eye on. Muhammad showed a lot of athleticism on a breakaway dunk.
Lakers 77 - Clippers 65
Clippers first round pick Reggie Bullock led Los Angeles in scoring with 12 points on 5-for-16 from the floor. He also hit two shots from behind the line, including one from the corner. Not his most efficient game, but he still made two shots from deep. Bullock is one of the best if not the best shooter to come out of the draft this year. With Chris Paul back in the fold, Bullock should see his fair share of open opportunities from downtown.
Marcus Landry, from Wisconsin, led the Lakers with 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Chris Douglas-Roberts had 12 points and four assists in 26 minutes.
Warriors 80 - Kings 66
Former Michigan State Spartan Draymond Green led the way in the Golden State victory. Green poured in 18 points (5-9 FG, 8-8 FT). After what he did in the Warriors' playoff run last season it wouldn't be a surprise for Green to see an expanded role for them this year. Kent Bazemore had 15 points of his own and he also chipped in six rebounds and five assists.
Ray McCallum stole the show both offensively and defensively in the Kings' loss. He had six steals to go with 23 points (7-10 FG, 9-12 FT). First round pick Ben McLemore was far from as efficient as he had 14 points in 31 minutes, but he has the potential to be one of the best offensive players from this draft class.
Spurs 96 - Hawks 87
Nando De Colo led the way for the Spurs as he had 19 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3PM). He showed a little of everything today as he was able to step out and hit shots and he also moved the ball to create opportunities for teammates as he had eight assists. Aaron Baynes was also a dynamic force in this game as he had 19 points and 15 rebounds for San Antonio.
Bulls 93 - Nuggets 81
Andrew Goudelock was straight up cooking soup for the Bulls in this one. He poured in 31 points (10-13 FG, 5-6 3PM, 6-6 FT) as he hit shots from all over. Goudelock has been known to be able to give a team a lift. He carried the College of Charleston when he was in college and made an impression with the Lakers last year. Goudelock is a very talented shooter and he's very tough to stop when he's hot.
Evan Fournier stood out for Denver with 20 points (7-15 FG). It was more of a volume effort in this game, but his shot looked good, and he had three makes from downtown. Jordan Hamilton, from Texas, had 11 points and made three shots from behind the arc. Darius Johnson-Odom came off of the bench and had 10 points and six assists.