With the 2025 NBA Cup having messed with this week’s schedule, we only have two games to get into for Wednesday, December 17. So, instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, I’m bringing everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Grizzlies +7.5 (-108) vs. Timberwolves
Grizzlies at Timberwolves – 8:00 pm ET
The Grizzlies are just 1-20 straight-up and 5-16 against the spread when taking on teams with winning records under Tuomas Iisalo. That’s a little alarming heading into a meeting with a good Timberwolves team, but those records are bound to get better. And I do think we’re going to see Memphis cover this evening.
Since Ja Morant returned to action two games ago, the Grizzlies have an offensive rating of 124.1. That’d be good for second in the NBA over the course of the entire season, and it was nice to see that Cam Spencer can still go off in games with Morant out there. Spencer had 27 points in 30 minutes in Memphis’ win over Los Angeles last game, and it was a nice piece of evidence that this offense can still do damage without Zach Edey. The big man is out for the next couple of weeks, as he suffered a stress reaction in his surgically-repaired left ankle. That’ll kill the Grizzlies on the defensive end of the floor. They’re 10th in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating (113.9), with Edey’s No. 1 Defensive EPM (+3.9) being a big part of it. That said, the offense will need to pick up the pieces. So far, it looks like it can.
I also don’t think the Memphis defense will look too awful tonight. The Grizzlies have bodies they can throw at Anthony Edwards, if the Timberwolves star plays. They won’t completely ice him out of this game, but making him work would be massive. And overall, if you want to be without your big defensive presence in the middle, this isn’t the worst team in the world to be facing. Rudy Gobert is a great player for this Minnesota team, but he’s not an offensive-minded big. He won’t be able to punish the Edey-less Grizzlies. Also, if the Wolves opt to play Naz Reid a little more, that’ll mean sacrificing a ton on defense. That might be a rough move against a team with this much firepower.
I obviously wouldn’t be surprised if Minnesota wins. The Timberwolves are better than the Grizzlies, making them big favorites for a reason. However, I don’t see Minnesota completely running away with this one. This is a team that plays down to its competition. In fact, under Chris Finch, the Timberwolves are just 23-37-1 ATS when facing teams with winning percentages between 40% and 49%.
NBA Player Props Today
Darius Garland Over 27.5 Points + Assists (-120) vs. Bulls
Cavaliers at Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
Garland has really had a miserable season thus far, which is part of the reason the Cavaliers haven’t lived up to lofty expectations. However, the talented guard is coming off his best game of the year. He had 26 points and nine assists in a loss to the Hornets on Sunday, so it isn’t crazy to think that he could be turning a corner. Well, if that is the case, a big performance could be coming against the Bulls.
Chicago plays at the second-fastest pace (103.7) in the NBA. The team is also 25th in the league in adjusted defensive rating (117.5). That makes this a dream matchup for Garland. Not only will this be an up-and-down game but the Bulls really don’t have anybody that can stop him. Also, Chicago is the worst team in the NBA when it comes to defending at the rim, so Garland won’t meet much resistance when he does get to the basket.
The Cavaliers will also be without Evan Mobley for two to four weeks. That means more on Garland’s plate. As long as he’s not being bothered by his toe, I think this will be a massive game.
2025-26 NBA Record: 183-171 (+9.03 units)
