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The Summer League tournament is down to four teams. The Suns, Timberwolves, Bulls and Cavaliers will play the semifinals on Sunday, looking for a place in the title game.
There will be plenty of talent available in the final four. Some of this year's top draft picks will be competing, headlined by Dragan Bender, selected fourth overall. No. 5 overall pick Kris Dunn has missed the past few games with a concussion and it's unclear whether he will return to action. The Timberwolves have survived without him thanks to the play of Tyus Jones and Adreian Payne, who have NBA experience.
The Bulls will have rookie Denzel Valentine available as well as second-year players Jerian Grant, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio while the Cavaliers will rely heavily on Jordan McRae, who was in the roster that won the NBA championship last season.
All the quarterfinal games were close, with two going to overtime, which illustrates just how evenly matched these squads are. It should be a fun last two days of Summer League.
Let's take a look at the action schedule for today in Las Vegas (all times ET):
Timberwolves (3-3) vs. Suns (4-1), Thomas & Mack Center, 6 p.m. ESPN 2
These two teams had to battle to get here. The Timberwolves edged out the Raptors on a close game that went down to the wire. Tyus Jones and Xavier Silas led the way with 21 and 22 points, respectively, and together made up for the absence of Kris Dunn, who missed the game with a concussion. Minnesota had to come back in the fourth quarter and managed to do so thanks to their accuracy from beyond the arc. Then in the clutch, their guards got themselves to the line and closed it out.
The Suns needed overtime and a deep game-winner from Tyler Ulis to beat the Nuggets. Jamal Murray had a terrific game for Denver, finishing the night with a stat line of 29 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He tied the game with 20 seconds to go in regulation and after Dragan Bender missed two free throws that would have won it for Phoenix, Murray scored the Nuggets' only bucket in overtime, with 1.8 seconds to go. That's when Ulis, who had 19 points and four assists in the game, launched a game-winning three-pointer from 35 feet out to punch Phoenix's ticket to the semifinals.
Sunday's game should be close. Despite modest numbers Bender has made a positive impact and is just one many talented players in a Suns roster that also has Ulis and could have Marquese Chriss back. The battle of undersized point guards between Jones and Ulis should be fun and 25-year-old Adreian Payne could give the young Suns bigs a lot of trouble. This one is too close to call.
Bulls (5-0) vs. Cavaliers (4-2), Thomas & Mack Center, 8 p.m. ESPN 2
The Bulls reached the semifinals undefeated and boasting one of the most talented rosters in the competition. Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio hold the fort down low while Jerian Grant and 2016 first round pick Valentine provide firepower from the perimeter. Against the Wizards they were in control in the first half and had to hold off a comeback attempt, which they did with poise. The Bulls have been one of the best teams in Las Vegas from the start and should be considered the favorite to win it all.
The Cavaliers will try to pull off the upset. Jordan McRae has led the way with his scoring so far, averaging 26 points for the tournament and finishing Saturday's game against the Nets with 25 .There's not a lot of top level talent on the roster but they have found a good lead ball handler in Kay Felder and they have some players with NBA experience. The Summer Cavs have developed good chemistry and that has allowed them to beat opponents which seemed better on paper. That's what they will look to do against the Bulls.
The McRae vs. Valentine duel should be fun but the key to the matchup will be inside. If the Bulls' bigs prove to be as dominant as they have been at times, it's hard to see the Cavaliers beating them. If the game is more perimeter-oriented, anything can happen.