San Antonio vs Charlotte Odds Preview: Here Comes Wembanyama

NBA Odds Favor Wembanyama’s Spurs

He is finally here. The first overall pick and the “greatest prospect since LeBron James” is scheduled to debut this Friday. Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs take on the Charlotte Hornets with Brandon Miller, the college star taken just after him. This marquee matchup favors the Spurs per the San Antonio vs Charlotte odds online. Will Wembanyama dominate or can Miller will the Hornets to an upset?

Wembanyama Will Shine Even in Limited Minutes

As hard as it is to not get excited for Wembanyama, both fans and bettors should temper their expectations. The Spurs will be extra careful with their prized prospect and will likely not play him for too long. Still, Wembanyama could still rack up stats in 20 minutes or fewer.

The basketball star just put up 22 points, seven boards, and four blocks in 36 minutes for his final game with his French pro team three weeks ago. And this is against veterans. Wembanyama will be taking on fellow youngsters in the Summer League.

San Antonio does not have the richest crop of prospects. Outside of Wembanyama, the Spurs’ Summer League consists of two former first-round picks: Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, who are entering their sophomore seasons. Sidy Cissoko, the Spurs’ second-round pick, is Wembanyama’s compatriot and played for G-League.

Coaching the team will be Matt Nielsen, a Spurs’ assistant since 2021. Before that, he coached the Perth Wildcats of the NFL to three titles in his four seasons with the team.

The Spurs already faced and defeated the Hornets in the California Classic Summer League this Monday. Wembanyama was absent, but San Antonio won 96-77 despite a strong effort from Miller. Hence, the Spurs are naturally favored (six points on opening) in this rematch per the San Antonio vs Charlotte odds.

Miller Still Shaking off Rust For Hornets

On the other end of Wembanyama is Miller. Despite being drafted just after him, the Alabama swingman has been anything but hyped. Even Hornets fans were unhappy with his selection, as most wanted G-League star Scoot Henderson instead.

Miller is still working his way into being in game shape thanks to a battle with mono, which also caused him to lose some weight. He’s shown flashes in the two games he’s played first scoring 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting (3-of-7 from 3) in the loss to San Antonio. However, he did commit five turnovers and five fouls.

The next game, Miller was quieter as he had just six points on 2-of-4 shooting. He also had eight fouls and four turnovers though he did have seven assists.

Of course, fans took to Twitter to show their displeasure.

“I have been watching summer league for like 20yrs now. So I know to never overreact to it. But this Brandon Miller play is a little concerning. MJ might’ve smoked one more draft pick on his way out the door,” said a Twitter user a day after the Hornets-Warriors game in which Charlotte got blown out again.

All the attention is on Miller, and rightfully so, as the second overall pick. But Charlotte losing by a combined 34 points in their two Summer League games is more alarming. NBA betting tips will be hard-pressed to recommend wagering on this team, even as six-point underdogs.

Marlon Garnett, the Hornets’ Summer League head coach, will need to find a way to get his team to play more efficiently. Even Summer League veterans like James Bouknight and Kai Jones are not getting it done. Thus, the San Antonio vs Charlotte odds will trend for the former unless improvements are seen.

For NBA betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads.

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