After ending their 52-year trophy drought by winning the NBA Cup just a few days ago, the Knicks are back in business and are keen to extend their unbeaten run to eight games when they open their two-game homestand against the Sixers on Friday night. The pregame NBA 2025 odds have New York as the favourites because of their purple patch and Philadelphia’s recent inconsistencies.
On the other hand, the Celtics will play their first game back after their Cup break, and are set to host the Heat at TD Garden. The Hawks, Cavaliers, and Timberwolves will also host the Spurs, Bulls, and Thunder to round out the league’s lean five-game slate.
SBOTOP basketball fans should continue to enjoy their usual dose of NBA 2025 highlights as we’re fast approaching the holidays, and here are the Top 3 games from tomorrow’s schedule.
Philadelphia Sixers @ New York Knicks
The Knicks picked up where they left off by beating the Pacers yesterday, despite missing several key players. In the 114-113 road win, it was Jalen Brunson who came up clutch once again.
The NBA Cup tournament MVP poured in 25 points (team-high), seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals on 10-for-23 shooting from the field. Brunson didn’t have an efficient shooting night, but at least he hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 4.4 seconds left.
Mikal Bridges, Jordan Clarkson, OG Anunoby, and Tyler Kolek also stepped up in the absences of Josh Hart (abdomen), Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), Miles McBride (ankle), and Mitchell Robinson (ankle), chipping in 22, 18, 16, and 16 points, respectively.
The Sixers dropped to a 14-11 record, following a 120-117 loss to the Hawks last Sunday, and tomorrow marks their first game back from their Cup break. Paul George had 35 points, four rebounds, three assists, and seven three-pointers on 11-for-21 shooting. VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Quentin Grimes, and Dominick Barlow added 26, 22, 14, and 11 points.
Philadelphia were without Tyrese Maxey, as the star floor general was sick. Maxey should be ready to go against their Atlantic Division rivals. Meanwhile, Embiid is questionable due to an illness.
Betting tip – New York Knicks Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 2.05
San Antonio Spurs @ Atlanta Hawks
This year’s NBA Cup runners-up, the Spurs, vented their ire on the lowly Wizards on Thursday night. In the 119-94 blowout home victory, San Antonio had six players contributing double-digit points.
Dylan Harper led the Spurs in scoring with 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 9-for-13 shooting from the field. Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle added 18 and 17, while Victor Wembanyama came off the bench again and notched 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four blocks on 6-for-11 shooting across 17 minutes. Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet had 12 and 10.
The Hawks lost to the Hornets on Thursday in a game that saw the on-court returns of Trae Young and LaMelo Ball. In the 133-126 result, Jalen Johnson had 43 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and four three-pointers on 16-for-27 shooting on his 24th birthday.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 28 points off the bench, while Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu contributed 14 and 12 points. Young chipped in eight points and 10 assists and is expected to do more against San Antonio.
Atlanta will be without Kristaps Porzingis for at least two weeks due to the ongoing illness he’s dealing with. Many fear that this may be related to his postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which he had last season.
Betting tip – San Antonio Spurs Asian Handicap -2.00 @ 1.90
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves
After losing in the NBA Cup semi-finals against the Spurs, the Thunder returned to the win column with a resounding win against the free-falling Clippers on Thursday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks on 13-for-24 shooting from the field, and the reigning league MVP didn’t even have to play in the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander received help from Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Isaiah Joe, who contributed 22, 20, 16, and 14 points.
The Timberwolves are coming off a 116-110 loss against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, as they were without Anthony Edwards. Julius Randle had 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals on 9-for-21 shooting in the losing effort. Donte DiVincenzo, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Bones Hyland added 19, 16, 16, 13, and 12.
Minnesota listed Edwards (foot) as a game-time decision on Friday. The three-time NBA All-Star has missed the last three games.
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 2.02
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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