NBA Christmas Day Game Predictions, Best Bets & Odds Today
2023 Christmas may have the NFL on the docket, but Christmas Day belongs to the NBA, and five games between 10 contenders is fitting for this festive showcase. Our experts have analyzed the board and settled on a few NBA best bets today to form our official NBA Christmas Day predictions.
All our betting odds come courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, where all new users are eligible for $150 in bonus bets with a $5 money line wager on their team of choice. Continue reading past our NBA best bets today, highlighted below, to break down our NBA Christmas Day predictions and the details of this welcome offer.
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NBA CHRISTMAS DAY PREDICTIONS: 76ers ML (+102), Bucks -3 (-110) & Mavericks +5 (-110 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Expert NBA Christmas Day Games Picks & Predictions
We weren’t kidding when we said Christmas belongs to the NBA. Most of the legit NBA Finals contenders play today, and in the five games, all on ESPN, no spread is greater than 5.5. When analyzing the NBA odds & lines today, we decided to avoid the Celtics-Lakers and Warriors-Nuggets games.
The Lakers have struggled since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament, but we know what to expect from Lebron James and company when the lights are brightest on their home court. The two-point spread in that game is suspect, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the Lakers win a tight one or the Celtics win in a blowout.
We are avoiding Warriors-Nuggets for similar reasons. The Warriors are not only heating up right now with great play from the Splash Brothers, but this team relishes the big stage, in comparison to the Nuggets, who treat every game the same. We are not sure if the Nuggets can tame Christmas Curry and Thompson, so we will avoid this one.
So, who do we like with our NBA Christmas Day predictions? Well, there is intrigue whenever the 76ers are an underdog, when the Bucks are small favorites and when the Mavericks are back to full strength but considerable underdogs.
Let’s discuss why we like these three teams.
Christmas Day NBA Best Bets
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks have enjoyed a schedule that has treated them to 18 home games in their first 29, leading to a dominant 16-2 record inside the Fiserv Forum. Away from home, the Bucks are just 6-5. On the flip side, the Knicks have only played 11 of their first 28 games at home, but have collected seven wins in those games. Each of their four home losses came against quality opponents in the Celtics, Suns, Cavaliers and Bucks.
While these home/road splits indicate the Knicks could be destined to win this one, the season series tells us otherwise. The Bucks have defeated the Knicks three times in three tries this season, including Saturday’s 130-111 beatdown in New York. These two squads go right at it again today, and while the Knicks are due to get one, it appears the Bucks just have their number, winning the games by five points, 24 points and 19 points. No Mitch Robinson the rest of the season spells trouble for the Knicks down low, and we just can’t pass up on the Bucks at -3 (-110 at FanDuel) with their astute performance against New York this season.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat Prediction
Any occasion we can get the 76ers at plus-money value, we are interested. Despite being on the road, the 76ers have fared well, to the tune of 8-4, while the Miami Heat are just 8-6 at home. While each team is hot lately, the 76ers have been other-worldly, winning eight of their last nine. The Heat are a well-coached, gritty, defensive-minded team led by two formidable stars in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, but even they are not match for the fast-paced Sixers and their two-man duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The reigning MVP Embiid has poured in 30+ points and has recorded 10+ rebounds in all 10 games in December, while Maxey has returned to form the last three games, scoring 29+ and recording five assists or more in each.
Heat coach Erik Spolestra will do what he can to slow down the 76ers, but there is too much to love about 76ers ML (+102 at FanDuel) the way they have been playing.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction:
The Mavericks are five-point underdogs today, and that just doesn’t sit well with us. Sure, the Mavs have been playing their worst basketball as of late, but they have also been severely banged up. Today, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II and more reinforcements are expected to play, helping boost the morale of star Luke Doncic.
The Suns are obviously led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but Bradley Beal, who has only been able to play six games so far, is missing, and this isn’t exactly a deep team. Throw in the possible absence of big man Jusuf Nurkic, and you have Suns team with glaring issues in the frontcourt, completely relying on their star power against a Mavericks team we have seen dominate when at full strength.
Even if the Mavs don’t pull out this big opportunity on the road, expect their offense and depth to wear out the thin Suns. Take Mavs +5 (-110 at FanDuel).
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NBA Christmas Day Games, Betting Lines & Point Spreads Provided by FanDuel
Here are each of FanDuel’s traditional NBA odds & lines associated with today’s special slate:
Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks - 12 PM ET
- Point Spread: Bucks -3 (-110) vs. Knicks +3 (-110)
- Money Line: Bucks (-152) vs. Knicks (+128)
- Game Total: Over 241.5 (-110) / Under 241.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets - 2:30 PM ET
- Point Spread: Warriors +6 (-110) vs. Nuggets -6 (-110)
- Money Line: Warriors (+210) vs. Nuggets (-255)
- Game Total: Over 233 (-110) / Under 233 (-110)
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 5 PM ET
- Point Spread: Celtics -2 (-110) vs. Lakers +2 (-110)
- Money Line: Celtics (-130) vs. Lakers (+110)
- Game Total: Over 234.5 (-110) / Under 234.5 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat - 8 PM ET
- Point Spread: 76ers +1.5 (-110) vs. Heat -1.5 (-110)
- Money Line: 76ers (+102) vs. Heat (-120)
- Game Total: Over 224.5 (-110) / Under 224.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns - 10:30 PM ET
- Point Spread: Mavericks +5 (-110) vs. Suns -5 (-110)
- Money Line: Mavericks (+162) vs. Suns (-194)
- Game Total: Over 230.5 (-110) / Under 230.5 (-110
Consider these NBA odds & lines and one of our expert NBA best bets today to qualify for the $150 FanDuel welcome bonus after you sign up here.
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