The NBA’s traditional slate of five games on Christmas is once again under the tree for fans and bettors. It is the 16th consecutive year the NBA has had games on the holiday.
NBA Odds Spread ML Total
Milwaukee Bucks vs. -2.5 (-115) -150 Over 241.5 (-110)
NY Knicks +2.5 (-105) +125 Under 241.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets vs. -5.5 (-115) -225 Over 233.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors +5.5 (-105) +185 Under 233.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics vs. -2.5 (-110) -145 Over 234.5 (-110)
LA Lakers +2.5 (-110) +120 Under 234.5 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. -1.5 (-110) -120 Over 226.5 (-110)
Miami Heat +1.5 (-110) +100 Under 226.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks vs. +4.5 (-105) +170 Over 230.5 (-110)
Phoenix Suns -4.5 (-115) -210 Under 230.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
The quintet of contests should be pretty competitive. The largest spread for any of the games at BetMGM is 5.5 in Denver’s favor against Golden State.
This first game features the Milwaukee Bucks in the Big Apple to take on the New York Knicks. Tip off is at noon ET at Madison Square Garden.
Bucks Hand Knicks Another Beatdown
Two days ago, the Milwaukee Bucks played the New York Knicks on the road and thumped them, 130-111. There is nothing that indicates a similar result won’t happen again.
The Bucks are currently on a seven-game winning streak, while the Knicks saw their two-game winning streak snapped by Milwaukee.
With the spread at 2.5 I don’t see how New York covers this. I expect another double-digit loss.
Prediction: Bucks -2.5 over Knicks (-115 at BetMGM)
Watch: Monday, Noon ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Battle of Winning Streaks
The Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets are both coming into this game riding winning streaks. The Warriors have won five consecutive games, while the Nuggets haven’t lost in four games.
However, the Warriors are 7-point dogs at BetRivers, the biggest spread of the five games. They’re also without All-Star forward Draymond Green, who is still under suspension.
The Nuggets get Jamal Murray for this game and that might be enough to cover the spread. I think Denver gets the best of Golden State. Shop around though, as the spread is anywhere from 5.5 to seven.
Prediction: Nuggets -5.5 over Warriors (-115 at BetMGM)
Watch: Monday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN or fuboTV
Lakers can’t Overcome Celtics Depth
The Boston Celtics are in Southern California to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. They are fresh off a drubbing of the LA Clippers.
They are playing solid basketball right now and have probably the best depth they have had in some time. The tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are complimented with Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. It might be too much for the Lakers to handle.
Besides, the Celtics might use this game to show the rest of the league they are the team to beat to win the NBA Championship. Look for Boston to easily win.
Prediction: Celtics -2.5 over Lakers (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Monday, 5 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN or fuboTV
Philly Slides by Home Heat
The Philadelphia 76ers travel south to face the Miami Heat. The 76ers have won 10 of their last 13 games.
But the Heat have put a nice little streak together as well. They have won five of their last seven.
The biggest thing to watch in this game is the status of Jimmy Butler. The Heat opened as a two-point favorite, but when Butler injured his calf, the odds swung to 1.5 in Philly’s favor.
Butler hasn’t played the last two games. He is expected to play on Monday. If he does, I like the Heat on the moneyline.
Prediction: Heat moneyline over 76ers (+100 at BetRivers)
Watch: Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Superstars Collide in Suns-Mavs Contest
The finale of the NBA Christmas schedule is the Phoenix Suns hosting the Dallas Mavericks. Both teams have a Top 5 scoring average leader.
For Dallas, it is Luca Doncic, who is second in the league in scoring with a 32.9 points per game average. The Suns have Kevin Durant, who is third at 30.9.
I’m looking at the spread record for Denver, which is awful. They are 10-15 against the spread this season. When favored by 4.5 points or more this season, they only covered six of 13 times.
Phoenix will win, but Denver will keep it close.
Prediction: Nuggets +5 against Suns (-109 at BetRivers)
Watch: Monday, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
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