NBA Christmas Day picks: Spurs-Thunder rematch headlines holiday card
Christmas Day is the NBA's day. No matter how hard the NFL tries to hijack the holiday by flooding the calendar with games, Christmas has historically been reserved for basketball. Let's not change traditions, Roger Goodell. Luckily for the NBA, it has an incredible five-game slate to serve fans all day, while the NFL features three mundane matchups.
Alright, enough of the competition. Let's dive into our favorite picks and what to watch for during all five contests, and hopefully, we'll end the day with some extra gifts in our pockets.
π Check out our full Christmas Day selections on theScore Bet
Game time: 12 p.m. ET
π Bet: Knicks -6.5
The Knicks are 18-12 against the spread this season - the league's fourth-best mark - including a remarkable 13-3 at home. The Cavs, who are a disappointing 17-14, own the NBA's worst record against the spread at 9-22. Evan Mobley's extended absence and Darius Garland's atrocious shooting numbers have hindered Cleveland.
The Cavs have lost four of their last seven games and possess a bottom-half defense, which won't stop the Knicks' second-best offense. New York has won 11 of its past 13 games in which Jalen Brunson has played by an average margin of 14 points.
π Bet: Josh Hart over 8.5 rebounds
Hart, who's grabbed double-digit rebounds in his last three appearances, is averaging 8.9 boards in December. He's the NBA's best rebounding guard and constantly crashes the offensive glass, which he can showcase against a Cavs team that ranks in the bottom half in rebounding percentage.
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
π Bet: Victor Wembanyama over 29.5 PRA
Wembanyama elevates his performance on big stages. He scored 42 points, grabbed 18 boards, and dished out four assists on Christmas last year. The Spurs have already defeated the Thunder twice in December, and Wemby evidently enjoys facing the defending champs in this budding rivalry, particularly Chet Holmgren.
Since returning from a calf injury, the Frenchman hasn't played more than 30 minutes as the Spurs slowly ramp him up. However, Christmas Day could be when he assumes a larger workload. Wemby has compiled at least 30 points, rebounds, and assists in 11 of the 12 games in which he's played 30 or more minutes. Wembanyama to record a double-double (+110) is also worth a bet.
π Bet: Harrison Barnes over 1.5 threes
Barnes is shooting 40% from three on 5.5 attempts per contest, his highest volume since 2018-19. He's made at least two threes in over half his games this season. Wembanyama's presence, combined with the Spurs' dynamic on-ball playmakers, creates open shots for Barnes in the corners and on the wings. He hit two threes against OKC on Tuesday, and although he went 0-for-8 the first time they played, the volume existed.
Game time: 5 p.m.
π Bet: Mavericks +8.5
The Mavericks have won seven of their last 11 outings. Anthony Davis' return, Cooper Flagg's ascension, and the revelation of Ryan Nembhard at point guard have Dallas trending in the right direction. The Warriors, however, are a mess. Although they've won two straight games, they're only 15-15. Forget Draymond Green's outburst in the direction of Steve Kerr during a timeout; the on-court product has been just as ugly. Golden State owns the third-best defense but has the 21st-ranked offense. Even Steph Curry's brilliance can't carry a lackluster supporting cast. Since Nov. 18, the Mavs have lost only two of their 16 games by more than eight points.
π Bet: Under 227.5
Golden State sits 22nd in points per contest, while Dallas is 23rd. Neither group generates much offense. On the other side, both units rank in the top nine defensively. This should be a defensive battle between lifeless offenses. Plus, 55% of the Mavericks' games have gone under this season.
Game time: 8 p.m.
π Bet: Austin Reaves over 19.5 points
Reaves is averaging 27.3 points per game. This point total is low because he returned from a two-week absence Tuesday and only played 22 minutes (he still scored 17 points). I'd expect him to play more minutes in his second game back, and he'll have to carry the scoring load as Luka Doncic deals with a calf injury. Doncic is questionable to play but won't be 100% if he does take the floor. Reaves has scored at least 20 points in 17 of his 22 appearances.
Game time: 10:30 p.m.
π Bet: Timberwolves +3.5
The Nuggets were already without Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Then, Cam Johnson left Tuesday's game with a knee sprain. He seems unlikely to play on Christmas, meaning Denver will be without three starters. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, both of whom are having career years, have carried the team, but they can only do so much. After a rough start, Minnesota has won 10 of its last 12 games. The Wolves' fifth-best defense should neutralize the Nuggets' second-best offense.
π Bet: Anthony Edwards over 28.5 points
In an interview with ESPN's Shams Charania, Edwards said that he'll definitely score 30, maybe even 40, on Christmas. Why not trust him? He's thrived under the bright lights before. The three-time All-Star is averaging 28.7 points and should have a field day feasting on a bottom-half defense.
Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more basketball coverage.
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