Best Bets for Today - Top Plays Across College Basketball, NHL and NBA for Sunday December 14 2025
Sunday’s early window is sneaky-good: an Eastern playoff-style matchup with big-name injury uncertainty, a physical NHL game in Saint Paul where goaltending should matter, and a tight college hoops number in Idaho Falls featuring a Saint Mary’s team that wins with pace control and execution. After going through the numbers you sent over, these are the three plays that stand out most for Sunday 12/14/25. To catch even more of our best bets make sure you check out our best bets page.
My Best Bets
- Philadelphia 76ers +5.5
- Minnesota Wild -148
- Saint Mary’s -3.5
76ers vs Hawks
This line is getting shaped by two things: Atlanta’s home court and the injury report chaos on both sides. But if we’re getting +5.5 with Philadelphia, I’m taking it — because the matchup still points to a one-possession type game if the 76ers get even one of Embiid/Maxey to suit up.
Philly has been solid away from home (6–3 road record) and they’re playing better basketball lately, winning four of the last five with a defense that has tightened in competitive games. Even if Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are listed GTD, the upside is obvious: Maxey has been a monster (31.5 PPG) and if he plays, he can carry the scoring load by himself.
Atlanta’s side of the injury report is the bigger concern for laying points. Trae Young is out, and that’s a massive hit to late-clock shot creation and overall offensive structure. Yes, Jalen Johnson has been great (23.2 PPG on 52.6% shooting), but asking Atlanta to win by margin without their primary engine is tough — especially against a Philly team that doesn’t beat itself and can grind out possessions.
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This profiles as a competitive game where the points matter. I’m backing 76ers +5.5 with the expectation that even if it’s ugly at times, it stays within the number. Check out the full 76ers vs Hawks pick.
Bruins vs Wild
This is the classic “good team vs good team” spot where the goaltending angle becomes the separator. Boston’s offense has been rolling (3.28 GF/G) and Swayman has been dependable (2.67 GAA, .913 SV%), but Minnesota’s home form plus their goaltending tandem gives them the edge at this price.
The Wild are 18–9–5 and 10–3–4 at home, and they’ve been finding ways to win even while dealing with injuries. The big difference in this matchup is Minnesota’s ability to keep games structured and let the goalies do the heavy lifting. Wallstedt’s numbers jump off the page (1.95 GAA, .937 SV%), and if he’s the guy, Minnesota has a clear path to controlling this game.
Boston also takes a lot of penalties (392 PIM), which is the kind of thing that can swing a tight road game in the second and third period. Minnesota doesn’t need to dominate — they just need to play their game at home, stay disciplined, and let their goaltending and defensive structure win the night.
I’m taking Wild -148 to get it done in Saint Paul. Check out the full Bruins vs Wild pick.
Saint Mary’s vs Boise State
This is a “trust the identity” handicap. Saint Mary’s is 9–1, and they win the same way every time: they defend, they rebound, and they turn games into 35-minute execution tests. The Gaels are allowing just 63.5 points per game, and that defensive baseline travels even when the shooting isn’t perfect.
Boise is playing well (7–3) and comes in on a three-game win streak, but their offense is far more dependent on rhythm — and Saint Mary’s is one of the best teams in the country at taking you out of rhythm. The Gaels also own the rebounding edge and are the more reliable half-court team when the game tightens late.
With Saint Mary’s being the more consistent defense and the cleaner team in a likely slower, possession-by-possession matchup, I’m laying the short number.
Give me Saint Mary’s -3.5. Check out the full Saint Mary’s vs Boise State pick.
My Best Bets for Sunday 12/14/25 are in, and it’s a sharp mix across NBA, NHL, and college hoops. If you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of these plays, you’ll want to take advantage of the bet365 bonus code so you’re maximizing each position you play.
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