Tuesday's NBA slate delivers three intriguing matchups providing some betting appeal. The day features a high-octane offensive battle, a clash between two top seven clubs in the west, and a contest where one team must simply dominate a struggling opponent. We have you covered with our best bets for the day!
The early action features the Sacramento Kings visiting the Indiana Pacers, a contest expected to deliver points in huge quantities. Following that, the Phoenix Suns travel to Minnesota to take on the suffocating Minnesota Timberwolves in a major Western Conference clash.
The slate culminates with the surging San Antonio Spurs heading to New Orleans to take on the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. We break down the best angles for all three major games.
NBA Betting Tips: Tuesday, December 9th 2025
Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers (11:00 am AEDT)
The Sacramento Kings visit Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers in what should be an absolute track meet. The current betting line suggests a high Total of 233.5 points, but honestly, this match up feels destined to blow right past that figure. Both of these teams push the pace relentlessly, meaning the volume of possessions will be incredibly high, giving us more chances for points than in a typical contest.
The key factor here is the defence, or rather, the lack thereof. Sacramento’s defence has been consistently poor on the road, where they are practically handing out free baskets, conceding well over 120 points per game. The Pacers are also prone to giving up big scoring nights to opposing teams. When two fast-paced teams with below-average defences meet, the result is almost always a firework display.
Given the strong offensive profile and the clear defensive vulnerabilities on both sides, this is one of those totals you feel confident attacking. The over is a great play here, as every possession will be used efficiently in transition or within quick sets. It will be a fun one to watch, but even better for the Over punters.
Over 233.5 Points
$1.88 (2 Units)
Phoenix Suns at Minnesota Timberwolves (11:30 am AEDT)
The Phoenix Suns travel to Minnesota to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota boasts a top-half defensive rating, sitting 11th in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions, and they are utterly dominant on their home court. The betting total is set at 227.5 points, which seems optimistic considering Minnesota’s success is built around generating stops and controlling the glass, forcing opponents into long, half-court possessions.
Crucially, the Suns enter this contest heavily shorthanded without star guard Devin Booker (groin) and key wing contributor Josh Green (hamstring). The absence of Booker immediately removes the team’s leading scorer and primary playmaker, placing an immense burden on the rest of the rotation to generate efficient offence. Against a Minnesota team that excels at dictating tempo and features an elite interior defender in Rudy Gobert, Phoenix will struggle significantly to replace Booker’s 25+ points of production.
Minnesota's identity is designed to neutralise fast-paced teams like the full-strength Suns by turning the game into a physical, half-court battle, and the injuries to Phoenix only help their cause. With the Suns' ability to score severely compromised, the strong defensive environment and controlled pace that Minnesota will impose should keep the total well below the projected line. The value is clearly on the Under now that Phoenix is without their most important offensive engine.
Under 227.5 Points
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans (12:00 pm AEDT)
The line for this Western Conference match-up has settled heavily in favour of the Spurs at -9.5, a spread that speaks volumes about the current state of the home team. The New Orleans Pelicans are in crisis at 3-21, suffering a six-game losing skid, and they are severely depleted. Their injury list is devastating, featuring long-term absences for Zion Williamson (Adductor), Dejounte Murray (Achilles), and Jordan Poole (Quad), leaving them with one of the league's most ineffective rotations.
The San Antonio Spurs are playing strong basketball at 15-7, even with key injuries of their own (Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle are out). San Antonio currently ranks 7th in the NBA in scoring (118.9 PPG) and boasts the 10th best defence, a level of efficiency the Pelicans simply cannot match. The Pelicans’ defence, which ranks 28th in the league, allows 123.2 points per game, making them an ideal opponent for the Spurs' well-rounded attack, led by De'Aaron Fox (25.0 PPG, 6.5 APG).
The historical betting trends heavily support the Spurs in this spot. San Antonio hits the Over in a higher percentage of their road games (63.6%) and, critically, the Pelicans have lost six straight and are giving up points at an alarming rate. With the Spurs' offensive rating being far superior to the Pelicans' current defensive rating, they have the necessary firepower to control this game, dominate the scoring, and comfortably cover the generous -9.5 line against the league's most struggling franchise.
San Antonio Spurs –9.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
