Sometimes Santa Claus is on a budget, so even he’s not as reliable as the NBA, which always packs five fantastic presents for you to open on Christmas Day. They know you’ll watch. In many ways, the holiday card has long been the unofficial real start of the season
The league outdid itself this season, setting up some great matchups. Among the teams with the NBA’s top records, only the Timberwolves, Thunder and Clippers won’t play on the holiday. We’ll miss Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, but there’s plenty of star power in store to compensate.
I’m feeling festive, so here’s a breakdown of each of the Dec. 25 offerings, complete with some predictions on sides, totals or player props to use as you wish. Merry Christmas!
Bucks vs. Knicks odds, prediction: Point spread, moneyline, total
Milwaukee is playing on Christmas Day for the sixth straight year, and lost last season by 21 points on the road in Boston. We’ll see whether not having the holiday ruined on the road like last year emerges as a motivating factor.
Although the Bucks own the NBA’s top home record, they enter the weekend just 5-5 on the road. New head coach Adrian Griffin and All-Star Damian Lillard are now part of the equation, and they’ll be playing at Madison Square Garden after winning twice at Fiserv Forum, rolling 110-105 and 146-122, extending their run in this series to eight straight wins.
The Knicks are participating in their 56th Christmas Day contest and are 23-32, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them be competitive enough to flirt with an upset as they help deliver the high side.
Prediction: OVER
More NBA betting: Latest NBA betting odds | Best NBA betting promos and bonuses
Warriors vs. Nuggets odds, prediction: Point spread, moneyline, total
Draymond Green won’t be around to hand out holiday sleeper holds, his version of a warm hug. Nikola Jokic will probably miss him since he’s torched him in recent meetings, but the Warriors have picked up the pieces during his extended absence and will seek out another upset after beating Boston earlier in the week.
With Klay Thompson shooting it better and Andrew Wiggins responding well to a reserve role, Golden State has picked up its level.
Denver owns one of the NBA’s top home records at 11-2 and has survived injuries to starters Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon effectively enough to sustain its dominance.
The Nuggets won the only meeting between these teams this season 108-105 on Nov. 8 without Murray, and have won seven of eight in this series. Green didn’t play and Jokic punished Golden State with 35 points despite missing seven of eight 3-point shots, so the damage he’s capable of inflicting regardless of who the Warriors defend him with is substantial.
The Nuggets are just 2-2 on Christmas Day since 2019, posting both of their wins by a single possession. The Warriors are looking for their fourth straight win on Dec. 25 and have won five of seven holiday affairs, but last year’s victory over Memphis came with Jordan Poole and Green doing the heavy lifting. Despite the Dubs’ surge, Denver may just be their Grinch.
Prediction: Nuggets
Go Deeper: Warriors vs. Nuggets full betting preview
Celtics vs. Lakers odds, prediction: Point spread, moneyline, total
Even though these teams haven’t met in an NBA Finals since 2010, the rivalry that started taking shape in the 1960s and helped birth the modern era of the league in the 80s, remains special.
The Lakers still hate Boston. “Beat LA” still has nothing to do with the Clippers and packs plenty of venom when it rings out at TD Garden. Both of last season’s meetings went to overtime, and this first matchup of the 2023-24 campaign marks the first time the teams celebrate Christmas together since 2008.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to a 93-82 win that day, and it’s more likely that a score like that would mean there’s still a full quarter remaining in today’s NBA. Boston won both matchups last season, in December and January, by scores of 122-118 and 125-121. Jayson Tatum averaged 37 points per game in the wins. LeBron James averaged 37 points in the losses.
To demonstrate how fluid the NBA is, Russell Wesbrook, Dennis Schroder, Patrick Beverley and Thomas Bryant all played key roles for LA, while Boston now has Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis for the Lakers to worry about.
The Lakers come into this game with a 10-3 mark at Crypto.com Arena, while the Celtics will be wrapping up a taxing five-game West Coast swing. Jayson Tatum’s ankle sprain shouldn’t keep him out of this game, but the league schedule makers presented LA with a golden opportunity to gift the Celtics an L before their cross-country flight home.
Prediction: Lakers
More on this game: Celtics vs. Lakers full betting preview
76ers vs. Heat odds, prediction: Point spread, moneyline, total
It’s never ideal to be away from home for the holidays, but there are worse things than leaving Philadelphia for Miami this time of year.
The 76ers won their only game in South Florida last season despite the absence of Joel Embiid, who has dominated teams in December, averaging 41.4 points and 12.9 rebounds entering the weekend. His 35.1 scoring average tops the NBA, and the reigning MVP has battled through knee soreness to consistently torment opponents.
Bam Adebayo returned from a hip injury that cost him most of December and should be available to help the Heat provide at least some resistance. Tyler Herro has returned from a severe ankle sprain, too, while Jimmy Butler is likely to suit up despite a calf strain that sidelined him in Orlando on Wednesday.
With everyone on board, this seems like a great opportunity for the Heat to remind everyone that they’re defending Eastern Conference champs, which has been easy to forget since they’ve been behind the Magic in the Southeast most of the season.
Miami has defeated the Sixers in four of the last seven matchups and should serve up another reminder of their capabilities here.
Prediction: Heat
Mavericks vs. Suns odds, prediction: Point spread, moneyline, total
Phoenix was hoping to be atop the entire Western Conference by this point, but have only had stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the floor together for one full game. Only Durant has been able to stay healthy, and Beal is again on the mend due to a nasty ankle sprain that will make him the elf on the shelf for this Christmas nightcap.
The Suns have hovered around .500 as a result, and although they’ll get Beal in the mix at some point, they’re fighting an uphill climb due to that attrition.
Luka Doncic has had to carry the Mavs more than expected since Kyrie Irving has missed time with various foot injuries, but there’s a pretty good chance he’ll make it back for this one. Rookie center Dereck Lively II may not be able to participate, taking the Mavs’ top rim protector out of the equation, but others have stepped up.
Sixth Man of the Year candidate Tim Hardaway, Jr., Derrick Jones, Jr., and Dante Exum have all flourished while Irving has been sidelined, while Phoenix has leaned on the likes of Eric Gordon, Jordan Goodwin, Nasir Little and Chimezie Metu handed enhanced roles.
These teams are more similar than they are different, and although they’re facing off for the first time this season, their final meeting last season produced a 130-126 Suns win in Dallas. Another shootout seems likely, especially if Irving can take part.
Prediction: OVER
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >