NBA Betting on Christmas Day | The National Basketball Association hosts its Christmas Day lineup of marquee matches, starting at noon Eastern time and playing late into the night, leaving grown-ups who love basketball and sports betting ready to catch the highlights and late matchups after the children have finished enjoying the holiday.
We’ve picked three of the day’s five games as primo wagering opportunities, so don’t miss our insights.
NBA Betting on Christmas Day: Top Games to Consider in the Week 10 | 2024/25 Season
Minnesota Timberwolves (+5.5) at Dallas Mavericks (O/U 221.5)
When: Wednesday, December 25, 2:30 pm ET, ABC
This game is a rematch of the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves have won six of the last 10 meetings with the Mavericks, but Dallas eliminated Minnesota in the playoffs last year and has won three of the last five meetings down in Texas. The Mavericks also won the teams’ most recent meeting, stopping the Timberwolves, 120-114, up in Minneapolis back in October.
Losing Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in the off-season has left the team in a bit of an identity crisis, particularly on offense, as the scoring burden has fallen on Anthony Edwards and Julius Edwards. As a result, this team is on the verge of falling out of the play-in tournament and looks nothing like the offensive juggernaut that pushed Dallas to the brink last year.
The biggest question for the Mavericks is the health of Luka Doncic, who injured his heel earlier this week and is questionable for Wednesday’s game. However, the Mavericks split a home pair with the Clippers and then beat Portland at home without him. The Mavericks need Doncic healthy to get back to the NBA Finals, but they don’t necessarily need him to beat Minnesota. In the meantime, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson can take up the slack on offense. Inside, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II should be able to slow down Rudy Gobert.
NBA Top Pick: Mavericks to win and cover.
^Philadelphia 76ers (+10) at Boston Celtics (O/U 222)
When: Wednesday, December 25, 5:00 pm ET, ABC
The 76ers were able to beat San Antonio Monday night, 111-106, despite the ejection of Joel Embiid after just 11 minutes on the floor. The positive surprise came from Tyrese Maxey, who put up a 32-10-8 = night to compensate for Embiid’s absence. Now Philadelphia has won five of seven and sits at 10-17, just 1 ½ games out of the play-in tournament. If you don’t think that sounds like what 76ers fans expect, you’re right, but things are looking up. The 76ers are also 4-1 against the spread in their last five games away from home.
Boston lost on Monday to Orlando, 108-104, even though the Magic was short-handed. Jayson Tatum did not play, and the Celtics only put eight different players on the floor. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porziņģis all played 37 or more minutes. Ball distribution was poor as the team only logged 13 assists, well under their average of 25.4. At home, the Celtics are 5-10 against the spread, and Tatum is still questionable (illness). The 76ers are in a positive groove here, and an angry Joel Embiid is a motivated Joel Embiid.
NBA Top Pick: 76ers to cover.
^Denver Nuggets (+3) at Phoenix Suns (O/U 233.5)
When: Wednesday, December 25, 10:30 pm ET, ABC
This will be the second game in a home-and-home as the Nuggets trounced the Suns, 117-90, on Monday night. Nikola Jokić put up 32 points, including 13 in the crucial third quarter. Michael Porter Jr went 10 of 12 from the floor and ended up with 24 points as the Nuggets pulled off the rout without Jamal Murray (ankle sprain). Phoenix did not have Devin Booker (groin) or Grayson Allen (concussion). Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each put up 23 points, and the Suns went into the locker room at halftime down just four. However, the Suns won the third quarter, 45-28, as Jokic, Porter and Russell Westbrook went a combined 13 of 17 from the floor.
Booker is not expected to return before next week, and Allen remains questionable for Wednesday’s game. If the Suns are going to get a different result on Wednesday, they’ll need better play out of Jusuf Nurkic, who got into quick foul trouble trying to guard Jokic.
NBA Top Pick: Nuggets to cover.
^Shaq vs. Kobe for the first time.
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2024
20 years ago on Christmas Day.
Our 🎁 to you… the FULL Heat/Lakers thriller! pic.twitter.com/H0Ag7CKNoO
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