image credit: BetFasterSaturday NBA Preview: Three Games Worth Watching This December 13th
Saturday's seven-game schedule brings western conference showdown to the Bay Area
Saturday brings seven NBA matchups to the schedule, with the Golden State Warriors welcoming Minnesota Timberwolves in what promises to be the marquee western conference clash. Over in the east, Philadelphia could field close to their complete roster when Indiana visits.
Below are three featured matchups from Saturday's games, with betting lines courtesy of Dabble.
Philadelphia 76ers Host Indiana Pacers (11:00am AEDT)
Sixers Prepare for Near-Full-Strength Lineup
The Philadelphia 76ers (13-10) expect to have both Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid in uniform when the Indiana Pacers (6-18) come to town. Maxey has carried significant responsibility throughout this campaign, putting up 31.5 points alongside 7.2 assists and 1.7 steals nightly. Embiid remains on managed minutes at 25.1 per contest, contributing 18.2 points per game. The former MVP is recording a career-low 5.6 rebounds as injuries continue affecting his performance.
Pacers Struggle Through Difficult Season
Indiana's season represents a stark contrast to their previous campaign, when they pushed the OKC Thunder to seven games in the NBA Finals. Currently sitting 14th in the eastern conference standings, the absence of Tyrese Haliburton due to an Achilles problem has proven devastating. With Myles Turner now in Milwaukee, Indiana's offensive struggles have deepened. They rank 29th in scoring at 111.3 points per game and sit dead last in field goal percentage at 43.4%.
The Pick
Philadelphia possesses considerably more offensive weapons for this matchup, with Maxey positioned to have a productive evening. Rookie VJ Edgecombe has demonstrated encouraging signs early in his career, averaging 14.4 points while connecting on 37.6% of his three-point attempts. The 7.5-point spread seems conservative given the talent disparity. Philadelphia should handle this contest by a comfortable margin reaching double digits.
Charlotte Hornets Welcome Chicago Bulls (11:00am AEDT)
Two Teams Eyeing the Lottery
This eastern conference meeting pits potential lottery participants against each other as the Chicago Bulls (9-14) visit the Charlotte Hornets (7-17). Charlotte holds a 5-7 record on their home floor while hosting a Bulls squad that has managed just 3-9 away from home. Chicago enters on a seven-game skid, yet somehow carries favourite status. LaMelo Ball's absence likely explains the odds, though Charlotte still has capable scorers available.
Shooting the Ball from the Line
Charlotte ranks among the top five teams in free throw accuracy and will look for Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, and rookie Kon Knueppel to draw contact. This matchup may ultimately hinge on which team commits fewer defensive mistakes, as both clubs regularly surrender easy scoring opportunities. Chicago lacks interior protection with centre Nikola Vucevic blocking just 0.3 shots per game.
The Pick
Ball's unavailability notwithstanding, Charlotte can lean on team leading scorer Bridges, plus Miller and Knueppel to generate sufficient offense against Chicago's porous defence. As the underdog, Charlotte presents value to cover the spread.
Golden State Warriors Face Minnesota Timberwolves (2:00pm AEDT)
Star Power on Display
Saturday's premier matchup features the Golden State Warriors (13-12) hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-9) in what should showcase Steph Curry against Anthony Edwards. Both players have posted comparable statistics this season, with Edwards averaging 28.7 points per game to Curry's 27.9. Minnesota suffered an unexpected 108-105 defeat to the Phoenix Suns last time out, with Phoenix subsequently getting demolished by Oklahoma City.
Warriors Manage Without Green
Golden State will proceed without Draymond Green as they pursue a third consecutive victory following wins against Chicago and Cleveland. The triumph over the Cavaliers carried extra significance given that Curry and Jimmy Butler sat out. Golden State's depth players received valuable minutes and should be prepared if called upon against Minnesota.
Home Court Advantage
The Warriors remain a difficult opponent at home with their 7-3 record, and momentum should be strong after consecutive wins. Green's absence creates a significant defensive void, requiring collective effort to contain Edwards, Julius Randle, and the supporting cast. Three-point accuracy will prove crucial, particularly from Curry. Golden State needs to generate trips to the free throw line, where they rank fifth league-wide in percentage, making Minnesota pay for any fouls committed.
Saturday brings seven NBA matchups to the schedule, with the Golden State Warriors welcoming Minnesota Timberwolves in what promises to be the marquee western conference clash. Over in the east, Philadelphia could field close to their complete roster when Indiana visits.
Below are three featured matchups from Saturday's games, with betting lines courtesy of Dabble.
Philadelphia 76ers Host Indiana Pacers (11:00am AEDT)
Sixers Prepare for Near-Full-Strength Lineup
The Philadelphia 76ers (13-10) expect to have both Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid in uniform when the Indiana Pacers (6-18) come to town. Maxey has carried significant responsibility throughout this campaign, putting up 31.5 points alongside 7.2 assists and 1.7 steals nightly. Embiid remains on managed minutes at 25.1 per contest, contributing 18.2 points per game. The former MVP is recording a career-low 5.6 rebounds as injuries continue affecting his performance.
Pacers Struggle Through Difficult Season
Indiana's season represents a stark contrast to their previous campaign, when they pushed the OKC Thunder to seven games in the NBA Finals. Currently sitting 14th in the eastern conference standings, the absence of Tyrese Haliburton due to an Achilles problem has proven devastating. With Myles Turner now in Milwaukee, Indiana's offensive struggles have deepened. They rank 29th in scoring at 111.3 points per game and sit dead last in field goal percentage at 43.4%.
The Pick
Philadelphia possesses considerably more offensive weapons for this matchup, with Maxey positioned to have a productive evening. Rookie VJ Edgecombe has demonstrated encouraging signs early in his career, averaging 14.4 points while connecting on 37.6% of his three-point attempts. The 7.5-point spread seems conservative given the talent disparity. Philadelphia should handle this contest by a comfortable margin reaching double digits.
Charlotte Hornets Welcome Chicago Bulls (11:00am AEDT)
Two Teams Eyeing the Lottery
This eastern conference meeting pits potential lottery participants against each other as the Chicago Bulls (9-14) visit the Charlotte Hornets (7-17). Charlotte holds a 5-7 record on their home floor while hosting a Bulls squad that has managed just 3-9 away from home. Chicago enters on a seven-game skid, yet somehow carries favourite status. LaMelo Ball's absence likely explains the odds, though Charlotte still has capable scorers available.
Shooting the Ball from the Line
Charlotte ranks among the top five teams in free throw accuracy and will look for Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, and rookie Kon Knueppel to draw contact. This matchup may ultimately hinge on which team commits fewer defensive mistakes, as both clubs regularly surrender easy scoring opportunities. Chicago lacks interior protection with centre Nikola Vucevic blocking just 0.3 shots per game.
The Pick
Ball's unavailability notwithstanding, Charlotte can lean on team leading scorer Bridges, plus Miller and Knueppel to generate sufficient offense against Chicago's porous defence. As the underdog, Charlotte presents value to cover the spread.
Golden State Warriors Face Minnesota Timberwolves (2:00pm AEDT)
Star Power on Display
Saturday's premier matchup features the Golden State Warriors (13-12) hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-9) in what should showcase Steph Curry against Anthony Edwards. Both players have posted comparable statistics this season, with Edwards averaging 28.7 points per game to Curry's 27.9. Minnesota suffered an unexpected 108-105 defeat to the Phoenix Suns last time out, with Phoenix subsequently getting demolished by Oklahoma City.
Warriors Manage Without Green
Golden State will proceed without Draymond Green as they pursue a third consecutive victory following wins against Chicago and Cleveland. The triumph over the Cavaliers carried extra significance given that Curry and Jimmy Butler sat out. Golden State's depth players received valuable minutes and should be prepared if called upon against Minnesota.
Home Court Advantage
The Warriors remain a difficult opponent at home with their 7-3 record, and momentum should be strong after consecutive wins. Green's absence creates a significant defensive void, requiring collective effort to contain Edwards, Julius Randle, and the supporting cast. Three-point accuracy will prove crucial, particularly from Curry. Golden State needs to generate trips to the free throw line, where they rank fifth league-wide in percentage, making Minnesota pay for any fouls committed.
