Cleveland Cavaliers to tackle Houston Rockets in NBA summer league final

• The Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Texas are set to clash in the NBA summer league
• Cleveland Cavaliers are still unbeaten in the summer league heading into the final
• The final match will take place in Las Vegas on July 17

Isaiah Mobley’s performance for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA 2K24 Summer League has been nothing short of impressive, living up to the team’s expectations. On Sunday, he showcased his talent by scoring 23 points, including the game-winning shot in overtime, leading the Cavaliers to a thrilling 102-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets and securing their spot in the Summer League championship game. The Cavaliers will face off against the Houston Rockets, who emerged victorious with a 115-101 win over the Utah Jazz, setting the stage for an exciting final matchup in Las Vegas.

In the crucial overtime period, Cleveland needed to reach a target score of 101 to secure the win. Isaiah Mobley took charge, demonstrating his one-on-one skills as he manoeuvred into the lane. With a deceptive turnaround jumper fake, he created enough space to execute a soft, one-handed shot that found its mark, clinching the victory for the Cavaliers. This impressive display of skill and composure allowed Cleveland to maintain their unbeaten record in the summer league, with a flawless 5-0 record. Mobley, who was drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft, finished the game with an outstanding 9-of-15 shooting from the field, in addition to contributing seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Cleveland Cavaliers saw off Houston Rockets in the semi-final of the NBA Summer League to book a slot in the final against Houston Rockets. | PHOTO: ESPN |

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Emoni Bates, this year’s second-round pick for the Cavaliers, continued to make his presence felt in Las Vegas. He put up yet another strong performance, marking his fifth consecutive game with double-digit scoring, as he finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. Bates also made significant contributions in overtime, adding four crucial points to the Cavaliers’ tally.

Supporting Mobley and Bates, Luke Travers made a valuable impact for the Cavs, contributing 11 points and 12 rebounds to the team’s victory. With a well-rounded performance, the Cavaliers showcased their depth and versatility.

On the opposing side, Jalen Wilson led the way for the Brooklyn Nets with an impressive stat line of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Armani Brooks and Matt Lewis also made noteworthy contributions with 22 and 14 points, respectively. Despite their efforts, the Nets suffered their second loss in the summer league, and both defeats came at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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The Houston Rockets, who will face the Cavaliers in the championship game, displayed their dominance in their matchup against the Utah Jazz. The Rockets remained unbeaten in the summer league, with an impressive 5-0 record, by defeating a Jazz team that was missing all three of their first-round draft picks.

Nate Hinton, a seasoned journeyman who went undrafted in 2020, led the charge for the Rockets with an outstanding 27-point performance. Meanwhile, Cam Whitmore, the Rockets’ first-round draft pick and the 20th pick overall in this year’s draft, continued to impress with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Jermaine Samuels Jr. also played a crucial role in the Rockets’ victory, contributing 13 points and 10 assists.

Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Jazz couldn’t overcome the Rockets’ dominance. Keshawn Justice, Micah Potter, and Colbey Ross all scored 20 points for the Jazz, and Nick Ongenda added 12 points and 11 rebounds. However, their efforts fell short, and the Jazz had to settle for their first loss in the summer league, with a 4-1 record.

As the stage is set for the Summer League championship game, fans can look forward to an exhilarating showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets. Both teams have demonstrated their skill, depth, and determination throughout the tournament, making it an exciting and highly anticipated finale in Las Vegas.