Best Bets for Today - Top Plays Across College Basketball, NHL and NBA for Thursday December 18 2025

By: Kim Smith Published 12/18/2025, 03:45 AM ET

Thursday’s slate has a little bit of everything again: a marquee Oilers–Bruins showdown in Boston, a red-hot Denver team hosting a shorthanded Orlando squad at altitude, and a Sun Belt matchup where recent form and defensive consistency really matter. After breaking down the numbers you sent, these are the three plays that stand out most for Thursday 12/18/25.

My Best Bets

Edmonton Oilers -142
Denver Nuggets -7.5
App State -3.5

Oilers vs Bruins

This is a fantastic hockey game on paper, but the betting angle leans toward Edmonton despite being on the road. The Oilers are playing excellent hockey right now, winning three of their last four, and their offense is firing on all cylinders at 3.41 goals per game. Everything starts with Connor McDavid, who’s on an absurd run with 56 points (20G, 36A), and Boston simply doesn’t have a matchup that can slow him down when Edmonton gets rolling at even strength or on the power play.

Boston is strong at home (12–5), but they’re also coming off a loss at Minnesota and still give up over 3.1 goals per game. Edmonton’s power play is a major edge here at 32.6%, and that’s a dangerous mismatch against a Bruins penalty kill that can be stressed by pace and puck movement. With the Oilers carrying better recent form, the best player on the ice, and a special-teams advantage that can flip the game quickly, I’m backing Edmonton -142 on the moneyline. Check out the full Oilers vs Bruins pick.

Magic vs Nuggets

Denver is quietly turning into a problem for anyone right now. The Nuggets are 19–6, riding a five-game winning streak, and averaging a ridiculous 125.6 points per game while shooting 52% from the field. At home, in altitude, with Nikola Jokić playing MVP-level basketball (29.8 PPG on 61% shooting), this is a brutal spot for a depleted Orlando team.

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The Magic are competitive, but they’re missing key pieces — most notably Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs — and that puts a lot of pressure on an already thin rotation. Orlando’s defense is solid, but slowing Denver’s ball movement and interior efficiency is a completely different challenge, especially when the Nuggets are clicking offensively and sharing the ball (29.4 assists per game).

Denver doesn’t just win these games — they tend to separate in the second half, and this number still feels reasonable given the matchup and current form. I’ll lay it with Nuggets -7.5 at home. Check out the full Magic vs Nuggets pick.

Coastal Carolina vs App State

This is a classic conference spot where defense and momentum point clearly in one direction. App State is 7–5, has won three straight, and allows just 67.0 points per game, which is a strong defensive profile for this level. They’re disciplined, don’t beat themselves, and are far more comfortable controlling tempo than Coastal Carolina.

Coastal comes in 6–5 and has struggled away from home, including a blowout loss at Grand Canyon and multiple defensive lapses recently. While the Chanticleers can score in spurts, their 41% shooting and limited playmaking make life difficult against a structured App State defense that forces tough possessions.

At home, with the better defense and better recent form, App State should be able to grind this one out and cover a short number. I’m backing App State -3.5. Check out the full Coastal Carolina vs App State pick.

My Best Bets for Thursday 12/18/25 are locked in, featuring a strong NHL side, a high-confidence NBA home favourite, and a clean college hoops play built on defense and form. If you’re getting ready to place these, don’t forget to take advantage of the bet365 bonus code so you’re maximizing each position you play.

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