NBA · Game Review

NBA game reviews – 2025-12-09

NBA Daily Wrap: Big Performances and Tight Finishes Across the Board

It was a cracking slate of NBA action, with three games delivering a bit of everything for punters and fans alike: a comeback bid that fell short in Sacramento, a star-driven shootout in Phoenix, and a high-scoring rollercoaster in San Antonio. Across the night we saw huge individual stat lines, wild momentum swings by quarter, and plenty of clues about which players are worth tracking next time you’re lining up a same-game multi or checking the markets.

The Indiana Pacers handled the Sacramento Kings behind a balanced offensive effort and disruptive defence. In Phoenix, the Minnesota Timberwolves got a monster game out of Anthony Edwards but still went down in a tight one to the Suns. And in the highest-scoring clash of the day, the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs traded blows in a 267-point thriller, with Derik Queen and Trey Murphy III lighting it up for the Pels while multiple Spurs spread the scoring load.

Below, we break down each matchup, looking at final scores, key quarters, and standout player performances – all drawn from the stats and score records above – before wrapping up with what it all means for your betting prep going forward.

Sacramento Kings vs Indiana Pacers: Pacers Control Early, Close It Out 116–105

Indiana took care of business at home, knocking off the Sacramento Kings 116–105. The Pacers set the tone early and never really let go of the momentum, even when Sacramento made their push in the third quarter.

How the Game Flowed

The Pacers exploded out of the gates with a 35–23 first quarter, immediately putting the Kings on the back foot. By half-time, Indiana had stretched the lead to 66–51, thanks to a 31–28 second quarter edge. Sacramento came out firing after the break, winning the third 37–26 to cut into the margin, but the Pacers steadied in the fourth with a 24–17 finish to lock in the 11-point win.

In terms of halves, Indiana led 66–51 at the break and were edged 54–50 in the second half, showing how important that early surge was.

Pacers Standouts: Nembhard Orchestrates, Siakam and Mathurin Finish

Andrew Nembhard was the engine of the Pacers’ offence. He dropped 28 points, dished out 12 assists, and pulled in 4 rebounds. His all-round output shows up strongly in the combo stats: 32 PR (points+rebounds), 40 PA (points+assists), and a massive 44 PRA. That’s elite production for anyone looking at player performance markets.

Nembhard wasn’t just scoring and creating – defensively he chipped in 2 steals, and his total of 5 in turnovers plus steals plus blocks (“tos + steals + blocks”) is solid for a high-usage ball-handler.

Pascal Siakam was his usual reliable self with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. His lines of 28 PR, 27 PA, and 32 PRA show he did a bit of everything. Bennedict Mathurin matched Siakam’s scoring punch, finishing with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. He posted 31 PR, 27 PA, and 33 PRA, another very handy stat profile for overs bettors.

Off the bench and in the frontcourt, Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson were key in the hustle areas:

  • Jay Huff: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks, 15 PR, 10 PA, 17 PRA, and a huge 7 in tos+steals+blocks.
  • Isaiah Jackson: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 7 PR, 7 PRA, and 7 tos+steals+blocks.

That sort of defensive impact – combining steals and blocks – is gold in prop markets that track “stocks” (steals + blocks), with Huff finishing on 6 and Jackson on 5.

Kings Highlights: Westbrook Fills the Sheet, Raynaud Impresses

Sacramento didn’t get the win, but there were some big individual efforts. Russell Westbrook put up a huge all-round line: 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists – a triple-double on the raw stats, which is reflected in his combo numbers:

  • 36 PR (points+rebounds)
  • 38 PA (points+assists)
  • 50 PRA (points+rebounds+assists)

Defensively, Westbrook added 2 steals and 1 block, giving him 3 steals+blocks and 6 tos+steals+blocks when you factor in his turnovers. For punters, that’s the sort of high-volume stat profile that can smash multi-category lines, even in a losing effort.

Maxime Raynaud also stood out in the box score with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. He finished with 21 PR, 16 PA, and 24 PRA, showing nice balance as a scoring and rebounding option.

DeMar DeRozan chipped in 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists (25 PR, 23 PA, 28 PRA), while Zach LaVine added 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists (18 PR, 19 PA, 21 PRA). Precious Achiuwa rounded out the effort with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, plus 2 steals and 2 blocks, giving him 4 steals+blocks and 4 blocks alone in the stocks department.

Despite some strong individual numbers, Sacramento’s slow start – down 35–23 after one and 66–51 at half – left them with too much to do. They won the third 37–26 but faded again in the fourth.

Key Takeaways for Bettors

This game underlined just how reliable Nembhard, Siakam, and Mathurin can be in PRA and combo markets, while Westbrook remains a walking multi-stat threat even when his side loses. The quarter splits also show a clear pattern: Indiana are more than capable of front-running, while Sacramento can be a “slow out of the blocks” side, which can matter for first-quarter or first-half lines next time these teams hit the board.

Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Suns Edge Wolves 108–105 in a Star-Driven Battle

In Phoenix, the Suns squeezed out a 108–105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game where the visitors controlled the early action, before the margin narrowed late. The matchup was dominated by big-name performers, particularly Anthony Edwards for Minnesota and a balanced, multi-pronged attack from the Suns.

Scoreline and Momentum

The Suns, listed as the away side in the score records, took this one 108–105:

  • 1st quarter: Suns 29 – Wolves 23
  • 2nd quarter: Wolves 34 – Suns 32
  • 3rd quarter: Wolves 27 – Suns 23
  • 4th quarter: Suns 24 – Wolves 21

At half-time, the Suns led 61–57. Minnesota edged the second half 48–47, but that early Suns cushion and their strong fourth-quarter response ultimately held up.

Anthony Edwards Goes Off for Minnesota

Anthony Edwards put on a show for the Timberwolves with 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists. His combo stats tell the story:

  • 49 PR (points+rebounds)
  • 42 PA (points+assists)
  • 51 PRA (points+rebounds+assists)

He added 1 steal, and while his tos+steals+blocks total was modest at 2, his scoring volume alone would have comfortably cleared many points lines. He hit 3 threes, showing range as well as aggression attacking the basket.

Julius Randle backed him up with 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists (24 PR, 29 PA, 32 PRA). That’s classic “point-forward” production. Rudy Gobert also played his role with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist, totalling 23 PR and 24 PRA.

Off the bench and in support roles, Naz Reid contributed 6 points, 9 rebounds, and a steal (15 PR, 15 PRA), while Bones Hyland added scoring punch with 14 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists, finishing on 15 PR, 17 PA, and 18 PRA with 4 in tos+steals+blocks.

Suns Spread the Load: Williams, Gillespie and O’Neale Shine

Phoenix – again, represented as the away team in the stats – didn’t have a single 40-piece, but they had quality contributions across the board.

  • Mark Williams: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 29 PR, 25 PA, 32 PRA, plus 2 steals, 0 blocks, and 2 tos+steals+blocks.
  • Collin Gillespie: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 25 PR, 23 PA, 29 PRA, with 3 made threes and 2 tos+steals+blocks.
  • Royce O’Neale: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 19 PR, 16 PA, 24 PRA, and huge defensive impact with 2 steals, 1 block, and a game-high 5 tos+steals+blocks.

Grayson Allen chipped in 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists (15 PR, 16 PA, 19 PRA), along with 2 steals for a tidy all-round night. Dillon Brooks added 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists (20 PR, 20 PA, 22 PRA), knocking down 2 threes.

In the playmaking and hustle categories, Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro both gave Phoenix extra juice:

  • Ryan Dunn: Just 2 points, but 8 rebounds and 4 assists (10 PR, 6 PA, 14 PRA) with strong effort on the glass.
  • Oso Ighodaro: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 15 PR, 12 PA, 17 PRA.

Phoenix’s defensive stocks were also spread nicely. O’Neale (2 steals, 1 block), Mark Williams (2 steals), Grayson Allen (2 steals), and Jordan Goodwin (1 steal, 0 blocks but 2 tos+steals+blocks) all contributed to disruptive pressure that helped keep Minnesota just below the line.

What This Means for the Markets

From a betting angle, this game underlined a few themes:

  • Anthony Edwards continues to profile as a high-ceiling points and PRA option, regularly flirting with 40+ points and 50+ PRA.
  • Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie showed they can both clear mid-20s PRA lines when given usage, combining scoring, boards and playmaking.
  • Royce O’Neale is one to watch on rebounds, assists, and defensive stats; 8 boards, 5 dimes and 3 stocks is tailor-made for multi-category overs.

The quarter-by-quarter scoring also hints at a pattern: the Suns started strong (up 29–23 after one) and closed well (24–21 in the fourth), while the Wolves did most of their damage in the middle quarters. That’s something to keep in mind with first-quarter or second-half markets.

San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans: Pelicans Win 135–132 in a High-Scoring Shootout

The most entertaining game of the day – at least on the scoreboard – came in San Antonio, where the New Orleans Pelicans edged the Spurs 135–132. Defence took a back seat as both teams piled on points, and several players put up monster stat lines.

Scoreline and Swings

This one was a rollercoaster. The Spurs (away in the stats) jumped out early, leading 35–25 after the first quarter and then 42–32 in the second, taking a hefty 77–57 advantage into half-time.

But New Orleans roared back in the second half, winning the third quarter 45–23 and the fourth 30–35 (Spurs edging the last, but not enough), to claim the final result:

  • Final score: Pelicans 132 – Spurs 135 (Spurs as away side)
  • 1st half: Pelicans 57 – Spurs 77
  • 2nd half: Pelicans 75 – Spurs 58

In other words, the Pelicans outscored the Spurs by 17 points in the second half to overturn a 20-point half-time deficit and still almost let it slip in a frantic finish.

Pelicans Stars: Derik Queen and Trey Murphy III Lead the Charge

For New Orleans, Derik Queen and Trey Murphy III were the headline acts.

Derik Queen’s line is elite across the board:

  • 33 points
  • 10 rebounds
  • 10 assists
  • 4 blocks and 0 steals (4 steals+blocks)
  • 43 PR, 43 PA, and an outrageous 53 PRA
  • 8 tos+steals+blocks (4 turnovers, 4 stocks)

That’s a triple-double with rim protection sprinkled on top – the kind of game that crushes almost any mainstream player line or multi-stat combo.

Trey Murphy III wasn’t far behind in terms of impact. He poured in 32 points on strong shooting, including 2 made threes, and added 3 rebounds and 4 assists. His combo totals were 35 PR, 36 PA, and 39 PRA. Defensively, he had 2 steals and 1 block, good for 3 steals+blocks and 4 tos+steals+blocks.

Around them, the Pels got solid contributions:

  • Herbert Jones: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 23 PR, 21 PA, 27 PRA, and a huge defensive game with 4 steals, 1 block (5 stocks) and 5 tos+steals+blocks.
  • Saddiq Bey: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists (23 PR, 19 PA, 25 PRA) with 1 three made.
  • Jose Alvarado: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists (13 PR, 16 PA, 19 PRA), plus 1 steal and 1 block (2 stocks).
  • Jeremiah Fears: 5 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists (8 PR, 9 PA, 12 PRA) and 1 steal.

The Pelicans’ scoring was heavily top-loaded, but between Queen, Murphy, Jones, Bey and Alvarado, they had five double-figure scorers and multiple players clearing 20+ PRA with ease.

Spurs Spread the Production Across the Board

The Spurs matched New Orleans point for point behind a very even spread of contributors. While no single player hit the 30-point mark, several got into the high teens and low 20s.

  • Dylan Harper: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 25 PR, 28 PA, and 31 PRA, plus 1 three made and 2 tos+steals+blocks.
  • Harrison Barnes: 24 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 26 PR, 25 PA, 27 PRA, with 4 threes and 2 tos+steals+blocks.
  • Stephon Castle: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 23 PR, 23 PA, 28 PRA, plus 1 three.
  • Julian Champagnie: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 23 PR, 20 PA, 26 PRA, with 5 threes and 2 steals for 2 stocks.
  • Keldon Johnson: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists (18 PR, 14 PA, 20 PRA), hitting 1 three.
  • De’Aaron Fox: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists (18 PR, 21 PA, 25 PRA), with 2 threes, 1 steal, and 5 tos+steals+blocks.

In the frontcourt rotation, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk did their bit as well:

  • Luke Kornet: 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist (15 PR, 7 PA, 16 PRA), 0 stocks but 1 tos+steals+blocks.
  • Kelly Olynyk: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist (13 PR, 12 PA, 14 PRA), hitting 2 threes and recording 2 steals.

Julian Champagnie’s shooting (5 threes), Harrison Barnes’ efficient scoring and Dylan Harper’s all-around line all stood out as appealing options for future points, threes and PRA props, especially against teams that want to run with them.

Defensive Stocks and Turnovers

While it was a high-scoring affair, there were still some notable defensive and turnover numbers that matter for those who play in “stocks” or tos+stocks markets:

  • For the Pelicans, Herbert Jones led the way with 4 steals and 1 block (5 stocks, 5 tos+stocks).
  • Derik Queen racked up 4 blocks to go with his 4 turnovers (8 tos+stocks).
  • On the Spurs side, De’Aaron Fox finished with 4 turnovers and 1 steal (5 tos+stocks), while Stephon Castle ended on 3 turnovers and 0 stocks (3 tos+stocks).
  • Kelly Olynyk provided sneaky value with 2 steals and 0 blocks (2 stocks, 2 tos+stocks).

Given the sheer volume of possession and pace, it’s no surprise those multi-category figures trended high.

Betting Lens: Overs Paradise, But Second-Half Swings Are Key

From a wagering perspective, this matchup screamed “overs” almost from tip-off. A combined 267 points, huge PRA totals (Queen 53, Murphy 39, Harper 31, Castle 28, Jones 27) and multiple players hitting 4+ threes suggests both sides are happy to run and gun.

But the most important angle might be the split by halves: Spurs dominated the first half 77–57, then were hammered 75–58 in the second. That volatility makes live betting and half-time markets particularly interesting whenever these sides show similar patterns in upcoming fixtures.

Conclusion: What Today’s Games Tell Us – and Why You Should Compare the Odds

Across the three games, a few strong themes emerged:

  • Individual stars are consistently smashing combo markets. Andrew Nembhard, Anthony Edwards and Derik Queen all cleared 40+ PRA, with Queen hitting 53 PRA and Westbrook posting 50 PRA for Sacramento.
  • Secondary options are quietly delivering value. Players like Mark Williams, Collin Gillespie, Royce O’Neale, Herbert Jones, Bennedict Mathurin and Jay Huff all put up lines that would comfortably beat many of the standard PR, PA or PRA numbers you’d expect to see posted.
  • Game flow matters for quarter and half betting. Indiana dominated early against Sacramento, Phoenix bookended their win over Minnesota with strong first and fourth quarters, and the Pelicans-Spurs clash flipped completely from one half to the next.

If you’re betting into these markets, having access to proper stats, trends and – most importantly – the best available price across different bookies is crucial. Edges come from details: knowing that Royce O’Neale can quietly rack up 8 rebounds and 5 assists, or that Derik Queen is more than just a scorer, can be the difference between a winning and losing ticket.

Before you lock in your next bet, make sure you’re using our odds comparison tool to line up prices on points, threes, rebounds, assists and PRA across all the major bookies. You’ll see where the value really sits, which markets are mispriced, and how today’s performances might lead to soft lines tomorrow.

Check the numbers, compare the odds, and give yourself the best possible chance every night of the NBA season.