The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup did not disappoint. The San Antonio Spurs controlled the game for three quarters, then the New York Knicks fired back. The Knicks were able to rebound on both ends of the court, holding San Antonio to 19 fourth-quarter points. The game ended with the Knicks outscoring the Spurs by almost double. Thus ruining the Spurs' moneyline.

Harrison Barnes could not get a three-point field goal to go down despite four attempts. Victor Wembanyama scored 18 points, but went a dismal 7 - 17 from the field. More field goals than in his game against the Thunder, but fewer points. Most of those points came in the third quarter, as Wembanyama went cold in the fourth. The math was correct, the execution was not.

There are two games today, and there are best bets on both games. One features the battle of two cities on the Great Lakes. The other match is between two cities on the Mighty Mississippi River. Water is the common theme of the games, and today’s best bets are ice cold.

 

 

 

NBA Best Bets Today, 12/17: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls: Wednesday 12/17

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: Local | Location: United Center | Odds: CLE -5.5 | O/U 242.5

The Chicago Bulls host the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in a Central Division rivalry. Both teams started the season hot, but have since cooled down. Cleveland has lost six of their last ten, while Chicago has lost eight of its last ten games. Neither team won their most recent match, and both are attempting to climb up the Eastern Conference rankings. The Bulls are 6 - 6 at home, and the Cavaliers are 6 - 5 on the road; it appears it would be even.

Chicago is a +5.5 underdog on their home court, but is this a misleading spread? Cleveland will be without their best player, Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen has played one game since returning from injury. In that game, he only played 23 minutes, scored just 9 points, and had a meager 3 rebounds.

The total is set at a ridiculous 242.5 points, and Chicago has a powerful offense. Chicago has a lot of size on their team, and they should control the rebounds. That should lead to more field goals and a possible upset for Chicago. This best bet doesn’t need an upset, just a +5.5 spread to be covered. Put a unit on the home team to cover.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Wednesday 12/17

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: NBA TV | Location: Target Center | Odds: MIN -7.5 | O/U 233.5

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies are two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference. Today, they play at the Target Center in a game that is easily the game of the night. The Timberwolves are 17 - 9, and the Grizzlies are 12 - 14, and Minnesota is the better team. Hence why they have a -7.5 spread at home. 

They have the better starting unit, a deeper bench, and the better centers in this match. Rudy Gobert is in a different class than Santi Aldama and should take advantage of more rebounds. Aldama is averaging 6.3 rebounds per game and has not recorded over 7 rebounds in his last 9 games. Gobert and Naz Reid should have great games, and Anthony Edwards is matchup-proof.

Memphis is a surging team that can’t stay healthy. Minnesota is a proven team, finding their mid-season rhythm. Look for them to blow out the spread at home after a long break. Put a unit on the second-best bet on the home team’s spread.

 

 


 

NBA Prop Bet Today, 12/17

As mentioned in the Cavaliers versus Bulls match, Evan Mobley is out. The Cavaliers have a difficult time controlling the paint with him out. As would any team that loses the reigning defensive player of the year. That is part of the reason Nikola Vucevic’s rebounding line has been teased up. It is offered at 7.5 with heavy juice, but teasing it up to 9+ offers significantly better odds, +114 on DraftKings.

Vucevic is a great rebounder, and the veteran has had ample time to rest and recover. His knees should be ready for a full load at home, and he is due for a great rebounding game. He has 8 or fewer rebounds in his last four games, but it was an unusually large slate of games in a short amount of time. In the five games prior to those four, he recorded 8 or more rebounds in every game. Including 4 games with 11 or more rebounds. 

This best bet doesn’t need double digits. It just needs 9 rebounds against the injured frontcourt of the Cavaliers. Trust Vucevic to return to his great rebounding ways and earn his average of 9.1 per game. Put a unit on this plus odds best bet, and cheer for missed field goals. 

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy G. -
*All bets placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise. 

 

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