NBA Saturday features five games, highlighted by the Western Conference clash between the Timberwolves and the defending champion Thunder. Here are our three best bets for Saturday’s games, with odds thanks to Dabble!
NBA Betting Tips: Saturday, December 20th 2025
San Antonio Spurs at Atlanta Hawks (11:30am AEDT)
Fresh off an NBA Cup Finals loss to the New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs (19-7) made easy work of the Washington Wizards. No one needed to play more than 26 minutes and the starters, plus Victor Wembanyama potentially off the bench again, will be well rested for their back-to-back game here. The Atlanta Hawks (15-13) were disappointing against the Charlotte Hornets, and they too play a back-to-back.
Trae Young returned for the Hawks with a mediocre eight-point outing after a 22-game absence – things have changed since Young last played, and this team may no longer be his – Jalen Johnson looks the future for Atlanta, and despite the loss, he scored 43 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. He is on track to become an All-Star this season and will be pivotal if they are to beat the Spurs.
The visiting Spurs should have too much depth for the Hawks and with a clean injury report, they can cover the -2.5 line as the Hawks will miss the services of Kristaps Porzingis.
Spurs -2.5
$1.92 (2 Units)
Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers (11:30am AEDT)
An immediate match up between the Chicago Bulls (11-15) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (15-13) takes place following a 127-111 victory for the Bulls at home. The venue shifts this time as the Cavs host, and they are looking to get their season back on track – they currently sit ninth in the East, which is below expectations considering their roster.
Josh Giddey led the way for the Bulls last game, recording a triple-double and +15 when he was on the court, either scoring or dishing. An early concern is Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell has an illness which makes him questionable. Evan Mobley continues to be out with a calf injury which hurts them offensively and defensively, as Mobley has become a reliable two-way player.
One concern for the Bulls is that they generally don’t play well after a win. Recently they beat the Hornets and then immediately lost to the Pelicans. Whether Mitchell plays or not (hopefully he does), the Cavs need to get their season back on track, and with the home crowd behind them, they look a strong chance to cover the -7.0 line.
Cavaliers -7.0
$1.90 (2 Units)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves (1:30pm AEDT)
A Western Conference battle between two of the best teams as the defending champion OKC Thunder (25-2) head to Minneapolis to battle the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-10). Right now, the Thunder are firmly on track to give the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors NBA record of 73 wins and nine losses a shake. They recently suffered a second loss for the season against the San Antonio Spurs, losing 111-109 in the NBA Cup semi-finals. It was then business-as-usual with the Thunder smashing the struggling LA Clippers 122-101.
The Wolves enter the game off a 116-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The key to their chances is superstar Anthony Edwards’ availability – he missed the last three games and remains questionable. If he plays, then I like the Wolves’ chances to keep this one close, and potentially, even cause an upset.
Minnesota is unlikely to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He dropped 32 points in 29 minutes against the Clippers and scores at will. The key will be the Timberwolves trying to restrict the scoring impact from Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell and co. With a +7.5 head start, I am siding with the Timberwolves at the line.
Timberwolves +7.5
$1.88 (1.5 Units)
