Are you getting ready to bet the NBA on Christmas Day? Well, the Buckets Podcast has you covered. Here are your NBA Christmas best bets.
NBA Christmas Day Picks, Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12:00 p.m. | Knicks +3.5, Over 241.5 |
  | 2:30 p.m. | Nuggets -7 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Nuggets -7 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Nuggets -7 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Over 235 |
  | 5:00 p.m. | Under 236.5 |
  | 8:00 p.m. | Heat -3 |
Knicks +3.5, Over 241.5
12:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Sean Little
This is a really interesting spot because these teams play each other on Saturday, then face off two days later on Christmas. If the Bucks win Saturday, the slip will be bigger on Monday.
More than anything, the Knicks have become an over team without Mitchell Robinson. Tom Thibodeau is trying different rotations and we know the Bucks have been lights out to the over. Milwaukee is 19-8 to the over and the Knicks are 15-2 to the over.
I like the over either way, but if the Knicks lose the first game, I will take the points and the over in the rematch.
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Nuggets -7 vs. Warriors
2:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Jim Turvey
Denver hasn’t been great against the spread this season, but at home, the Nuggets are the team we know and love. In Draymond Green’s absence on the other hand, the Warriors have won three in a row.
Defensively, Golden State may struggle to guard Nikola Jokic and his cast without Green. I had this as Nuggets -8 with Green out. I think the Nuggets will handle business with Jamal Murray and Jokic leading the way.
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Nuggets -7 vs. Warriors
2:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
This line stood out to me when it opened because it's the exact same line we had when these teams met in early December. However, that game had no Jamal Murray and no Draymond Green.
The Nuggets with both Murray and Nikola Jokic playing are 51-23 since last season and 11-4 this season.
The Nuggets' biggest concerns have been defense and bench depth, but Denver's defense has turned around and has been sixth in net rating over the past 10 games, whereas the Warriors are 19th.
I really like the Nuggets bench with guys like Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson (potential Sixth Man of the Year) and Zeke Nnaji.
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Nuggets -7 vs. Warriors
2:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Joe Dellera
I love this play. Denver has been unbelievable at home this season with an 11-2 straight up record and a net rating of 11.5. I don’t see how the Warriors will slow down the Nuggets at all.
Nikola Jokic has averaged a triple-double over the Warriors since last season. Jamal Murray had 26 and 33 in the two games he's played and Michael Porter Jr. has hit three or more 3s in each of his past four games against Golden State.
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Over 235
2:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Matt Moore
The Nuggets play at a very slow pace, but the Warriors will speed them up. I think Denver is putting up a big number here, and there probably isn’t a number it could move to that I won’t be taking. I have this projected at 246.
The Warriors in road games are 8-6 to the over, but more importantly, they are 9-5 to the opponent’s team total over. The Nuggets’ defense has slipped in the past couple weeks.
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Under 234.5
5:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Matt Moore
Lakers’ unders are 10-3 at home. I projected this down to 232.9 and don’t have any reason to think this number will be far off. The Lakers bring a lot of physicality and have good wings defensively.
The Celtics, if they are deterred from getting to the rim, are more than comfortable taking 3s. I'm more than fine with this number all the way down to 234.
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76ers +1.5 at Heat
8:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Jim Turvey
(Editor's note: This pick was made before Embiid was ruled out.)
This number is absolutely crazy. I need the Heat to prove to me that they are this good of a team this year. I know we have been talking about the 76ers' weak schedule, but they do have wins over the Suns, Timberwolves, Celtics and Thunder.
I have the 76ers favored by 3.5, and I understand if its fishy, but I just can’t take the Heat. Keep an eye out for a live bet as well. Joel Embiid’s production tends to sway with whichever way the whistle goes.
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Heat -3 vs. 76ers
8:00 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
I am on the Heat. I fully realize this line is a trap. This is a short, sharp favorite which isn’t a great back in other sports, but it is in the NBA. In the NBA, home favorites within 1.5 points are hitting at 54% against the spread. I think the Heat will be motivated playing at home on Christmas whereas the 76ers will have to spend it away from their families.
Erik Spoelstra is 8-0 on Christmas and only four of those eight wins were with LeBron James. I am going to stick with the trend and a coach who clearly knows how to get his team motivated on December 25th.
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