The NBA closes out 2025 with a nine-game slate on Wednesday, December 31, highlighted by revenge motifs and significant injuries. Notable absences include Nikola Jokic for the Denver Nuggets and Mitchell Robinson for the New York Knicks, influencing betting lines across the board. Experts provide varied predictions, with spreads ranging from Thunder -15.5 to Bucks -10.5.
The NBA's New Year's Eve schedule features 18 teams in action, starting at 1:00 p.m. ET with the Golden State Warriors facing the Charlotte Hornets. Other early games include the Orlando Magic versus Indiana Pacers at 3:00 p.m. ET and the Minnesota Timberwolves against Atlanta Hawks. At 3:30 p.m. ET, the Phoenix Suns visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on NBA TV.
Evening contests begin with the San Antonio Spurs hosting the New York Knicks at 7:00 p.m. ET, a rematch of the NBA Cup Final where the Knicks prevailed. The Spurs are favored by 1.5 to 3 points across sources, motivated for revenge, especially with Victor Wembanyama challenging a Knicks frontcourt without Mitchell Robinson. "The Spurs will be extra motivated to get a revenge win," notes analyst Filip Tomic.
The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Chicago Bulls at 7:00 p.m. ET (times vary slightly by source), with lines split: Pelicans -1.5 or Bulls -2. The Pelicans have won prior meetings by double digits, but the Bulls lack Josh Giddey. At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Toronto Raptors host the Denver Nuggets, favored by 6.5 to 7.5 points amid Jokic's four-week knee injury absence. "The Nuggets are now down four starters," says Nick Whalen.
Later games pit the Milwaukee Bucks against Washington Wizards at 8:00 p.m. ET (Bucks -10.5) with Giannis Antetokounmpo returning, and the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting Portland Trail Blazers (Thunder -15.5). Player props highlight Aaron Nesmith over 11.5 points, Royce O’Neale over 2.5 threes, and Tim Hardaway over 15.5 points for the injury-hit Nuggets.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel and others show Warriors -8 over Hornets, Timberwolves -4.5 to -6 over Hawks, and Cavaliers -6.5 over Suns. These previews underscore a slate shaped by injuries and rivalries, setting the stage for 2026.
