NBA Christmas Day Betting Picks
Christmas Day is here, which means we have a full day of NBA games to bet on. With presents to open and eggnog to drink, we’ll keep this short and sweet. Here’s a quick look at all five NBA games today along with, hopefully, some winning NBA Christmas Day betting picks.
NBA Christmas Day Betting Odds
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Celtics at Raptors +3.5, O/U 214
Time: 12 p.m. ET
72% of bets on the Celtics and 59% on the Under as of Christmas Morning, per VegasInsider.com.
The Celtics have lost eight straight games in Toronto, but oddsmakers expect that to change today. The Raptors will be without Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol, making them a 3.5-point underdog at online sports betting sites. To make matters worse, Gordon Hayward might return to Boston’s starting lineup. This is the one Christmas Day game I’m staying away from.
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Bucks at 76ers +3.5, O/U 220.5
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
66% of bets on the Bucks and 53% on the Under.
Milwaukee has the best road record in the league, but the Sixers have been exceptional at home this season. Even scarier for the Bucks? The new-look Sixers team includes Al Horford, who will likely match up with Giannis Antetokounmpo just as he did for the Celtics in the playoffs last season. The Sixers have struggled in the fourth quarter this year, but I’m taking the points at home in what could be an early Eastern Conference Finals preview.
NBA Christmas Day Pick: Sixers +3.5
Rockets at Warriors +11, O/U 227
Time: 5 p.m. ET
85% of bets on Houston and 61% on the Under.
James Harden is averaging a whopping 38.6 points, the fourth most all time entering Christmas Day. The Golden State Warriors have received lumps of coal all season, losing 24 of their first 31 games. Their 7-24 record makes for Golden State’s worst start since 1999-2000. Things likely won’t get any better for them on Christmas.
NBA Christmas Day Pick: Rockets -11
Clippers at Lakers -2, O/U 222.5
Time: 8 p.m. ET
63% of bets on the Lakers and 54% on the Under.
It’s the first meeting between these two teams since opening night, and unlike in October, the second installement of Battle for L.A. coud be with all four Hollywood stars on Christmas Day. The Clippers were missing Paul George the first time the teams met. It looked like this game could be missing stars on the Lakers side this time around with both James’ and Davis’ statuses uncertain until Christmas Eve. James didn’t play on Sunday, and Davis is dealing with injuries of his own, but both are “expected to play” Christmas night after the duo practiced Christmas Even morning. I expect James and Davis to get revenge after their opening night blunder in what could be a predominantly defensive game.
NBA Christmas Day Picks: Lakers -130; Under 222.5
New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets -9.5, O/U 218.5
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
82% of bets on Denver and 79% on Under.
The Nuggets have won seven straight, while the Pelicans struggle to compete in the highly competitive Western Conference without their 2019 no. 1 overall pick, Zion Williamson. Williamson was slated to return today but the former Duke Blue Devil continues to deal with setbacks. The Pelicans may not sweep in and steal any gifts, but I think they stay within 9.5 points in this spot.
NBA Christmas Day Pick: Pelicans +9.5
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Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images