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The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Houston Rockets in the 2023 Summer League Basketball Championship game in Las Vegas. Both teams are undefeated this summer.
The Cavs reached the championship game after defeating the Brooklyn Nets in the semifinals in overtime.
Emoji Bates has been an inspiration for Cleveland. He should be active and lead the team on Monday night.
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The second round pick was one of the best in the Summer League. He was a very high five-star prospect right out of high school.
Bates suffered a back injury during his freshman year in Memphis. He only played 18 matches. He then moved to smaller Eastern Michigan, where he averaged 19.2 points per game.
His stock fell in the draft after struggling in college, injuries, and a conversion.
Bates would try to continue to prove the scouts wrong with another strong performance in the Summer League to seal the title.
He averaged 16.8 ppg while shooting 43.5%. He scored in double figures in every game in Vegas.
Game preview
The game kicks off at 9 PM ET from the Thomas & Mack Center in hot Vegas. It airs on ESPN and can be streamed on the ESPN app and WatchESPN.
The Cavs are the two-point favorite. Total 192.5. The Cavs are minus 130 on the money line.
The championship match should be a great chemistry between the young talents.
The Rockets roster is full of lottery talent. However, many of these players will not play in the tournament.
Jabari Smith Jr. dominated Houston’s first two summer league games but has since been shut down. The Rockets will also miss top-five pick Amen Thompson, who is out with an ankle injury. Tari Eason was also playing well but was suspended after averaging 23.0 ppg.
It was first-round pick Cam Whitmore that held the burden for Houston. He could have a big night and he could use his defensive skills to stop Bates. He averaged 19.3 ppg and 6.0 rebounds during the Summer League.
The Cavs had the best defense during the Summer League, holding the teams to 86.4 ppg.
Fellow second round pick Isaiah Mobley was also great for Cleveland. He could have a great night out with Bates.
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