2024 NBA Christmas Games Odds and Predictions

Like the NFL on Thanksgiving, NBA on Christmas Day has been a longtime tradition spanning a number of generations and over seven decades. The first NBA game on Christmas came in 1947, which was the league’s second official season. That year, the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers 89-75.

Since the inaugural Christmas Day NBA game, the league has been playing games on Christmas every year. Well, every year except the dreaded 1998 lockout. That year, the Grinch stole NBA Christmas.

Scheduling the NBA Christmas lineup isn’t an exact science. There’s a fluidity to it that tends to involve teams that appeared in the previous season’s NBA Finals. Looking over the 2024 NBA Christmas games lineup, you can see that both the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks (last year’s NBA Finals teams) are hosting Christmas games.

Additionally, the schedule makers also try to include the reigning NBA MVP and teams that have huge stars or are hot commodities. This year, reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is playing against the Mavs.

Additionally, stars like Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), LeBron James (Lakers), Steph Curry (Warriors), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Kevin Durant and Devin Booker (Suns), Joel Embiid and Paul George (76ers) are all playing NBA games on Christmas Day.

Lastly, if there was one team that the league and its fans associate with Christmas Day games, it’s the New York Knicks. Just like the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions who play annually on Thanksgiving, the Knicks are the closest thing to an annual Christmas team.

The Knickerbockers have played in 56 Christmas Day games. They’re tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most Christmas Day wins at 24 apiece. It should come as no surprise that LeBron James holds the record for most Christmas games at 18 and the most points on the holiday with 476 points.

Let’s dive deeper into the latest NBA odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our NBA predictions for the 2024 NBA Christmas games. 

NBA Christmas Schedule

Check out the following NBA Christmas Day lineup:

Since the 2008-09 season, the NBA has scheduled five games on Christmas Day. This year’s NBA Christmas lineup continues that tradition. The Spurs vs. Knicks tip off the holiday hardwood action. The 76ers vs. Celtics get the primetime slot on the East Coast, while the Lakers vs. Warriors get the primetime slot on the West Coast. The Nuggets vs. Suns will close out the night with a crossover closing call.

NBA Christmas Games Betting

Keep an eye on the latest NBA odds for Christmas Day and monitor how the lines change throughout the week.

As of this writing, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics are the biggest betting favorites with -390 moneylines. That makes the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers the biggest underdogs at +310 odds.

Following suit, the Celtics are -9 point favorites over the 76ers, while the Knicks are also 9-point favorites over the Spurs.

The Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns have the largest Over/Under of the day as sportsbooks peg them at an O/U of 234 total points. These two teams also have the closest spread (-1.5 points) and the closest moneylines with the Nuggets (-115) a slight favorite over the Suns (-105).

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NBA Christmas Games Predictions

Let’s take a look at the NBA lineup for Christmas Day and make our spread, total, and moneyline NBA picks for each game.

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Odds

The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks have played against each other 103 times. The Spurs hold the all-time advantage with a 58 to 45 record. Additionally, the Spurs won the only Playoff series against each other 4 games to 1. This came in the 1999 NBA Finals.

The Knicks have taken five of the last seven head-to-head meetings. However, these teams split last year’s matchups. The Spurs won at home in OT during a March 2024 contest, while the Knocks won at home in November 2023.

Over the last 10 matchups, the Spurs and Knicks are 5-5 each. However, the Spurs have the slight edge with a 6-4 ATS record. The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Predictions

The opening game on Christmas Day marks Victory Wembanyama’s first holiday game. At this rate, he could rival LeBron James for most appearances.

For the Spurs, this is their first time on Christmas Day since 2016. They have a 5-6 record on the holiday. The Knicks are 24-32 overall on Christmas and 22-25 at home on the holiday.

As of this writing, the Spurs are 4-6 away and the Knicks are 8-4 at home. Furthermore, Wemby’s numbers dip on the road. His points per game drops from 26.4 ppg to 22.0 ppg. Additionally, his FG% drops from 50.2% to 43.6%, rebounds fall from 10.2 to 9.6, and his blocks drop from 4.1 to 3.3 per game.

The Knicks have the better all-around team than the Spurs do. However, you have to give San Antonio some credit considering they’re exceeding expectations so far this season.

With that said, this game has the makings of a New York blowout. The depth and offensive firepower for the Knicks should prevail at home in front of the New Yorkers.

Bet: New York Knicks (-390), Knicks -9 (-110)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks Odds

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks have played against each other 145 times. The Mavs hold the advantage with a 78-59 record. If you include the Playoffs, Dallas is 7-1 versus the T-wolves which gives them an 85-60 overall record.

The Mavs are 6-4 SU over the last 10 games, but the T-wolves have taken four of the last six. The Mavs are also 7-3 ATS over the last 10 matchups and the Over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.

Dallas and Minnesota have already met once this season and the Mavericks took the victory 120-114 in a home game. Last year, The Timberwolves won three of the four annual meetings.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks Predictions

The Timberwolves haven’t played on Christmas Day since 2017. They’re just 1-1 on the holiday and come into this matchup as the underdog. Timberwolves hold a 6-7 road record, while the Mavericks hold a 9-4 home record. As mentioned above, Dallas has already defeated Minnesota this season.

Both teams are solid on defense with the Timberwolves ranked in the Top 5. Yet, their offense is struggling as they rank 23^rd. The Mavs rank 5^th in the NBA at 118.4 ppg.

Most notably, Kyrie Irving has been stellar against Minnesota. He scored 35 points in their October game and averaged 29 ppg in the 2023-24 Playoff Series.

I see the Timberwolves struggling to stop both Luka and Kyrie on Christmas. Look for Mark Cuban’s little helpers to lead the Mavs to another Christmas victory. Dallas won last year over the Suns and hold a 4-3 record on the holiday.

Bet: Dallas Mavericks (-190), Timberwolves (+4.5)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Odds

As you can imagine, this rivalry goes back to the early days of the NBA. These two teams have played against each other 583 total times with 116 of those games coming in the Playoffs.

The Boston Celtics hold the advantage with a 270 to 197 regular season record and a 66 to 50 postseason record. That’s a total of 336 wins for the Celtics to 247 wins for the Philadelphia 76ers.

This game marks the first time these teams have met in the 2024-25 season. Last year, the Celtics took three of four games and are on a three-game winning streak versus the 76ers.

Boston is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 matchups. The O/U is an even 5-5 over the last 10 contests. The Celtics have won four in a row at home over the 76ers.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Predictions

The Celtics are still the best team in the NBA regardless of records. The Cavs might have three more wins, but nobody believes Cleveland will beat Boston in a Playoff series. They’re 11-4 at home, while Philly is just 5-8 on the road.

There has not been a bigger disappointment this season than the 76ers. This team, sits 9-17 overall which is 12^th in the Eastern Conference. Their Big 3 of Maxey, George and Embiid have barely played with each other. It’s a crapshoot whether or not they will even show up on Christmas.

But, even if they do, the Celtics are still the better team. Boston averages 119.6 ppg which is the fourth best mark in the NBA. They also give up the 7^th fewest points at 105.7 ppg. The Sixers have the worst offense in the league at 105.7 ppg. They also have the fewest assists per game (21.6).

It should surprise anyone that Philly is near the bottom in field goals made, three-pointers made, and total rebounds. Their defense tends to play well at times, but it will get exploited in this matchup.

Take the Celtics to win in a route as they improve to 18-20 on Christmas and drop Philadelphia to 19-16 on the holiday.

Bet: Boston Celtics (-390), 76ers +9 (-110)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Odds

The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have played 480 times against each other, which includes the Playoffs. The Lakers have the advantage in both the regular season and Playoffs as well. Los Angeles is 262-176 in the regular season and 28-13 in the postseason. That’s a combined record of 290-189.

These two teams have yet to play in the 2024-25 season. Last year, the Golden State Warriors won three of four meetings.

The teams are 5-5 SU and 5-5 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head matchups. Over that span, the Over has gone 7-3. With that said, the Warriors have gone 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in the last three contests. The Warriors are 4-2 SU in their last six home games versus the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Predictions

The Lakers are 24-26 on Christmas and are coming off a loss on last year’s holiday to the Celtics. Yet, as mentioned above, they’re tied with the Knicks for the most Christmas Day wins. Golden State is 15-18 on Christmas and also last year. The Nuggets defeated Golden State 120-114 in Denver.

Both teams are on the right side of a .500 record and look poised to make a run at the Playoffs later this year. Anthony Davis is having an MVP type season at 26.9 ppg and 11.8 rpg. Steph Curry remains Golden State’s top scorer, but this team is constantly tinkering around with lineups.

The Lakers come into this matchup having turned things around. Two wins in Sacramento over the weekend was a statement that this team is back. The Warriors have been struggling as of late. They also have some players banged up.

With the way that the Lakers have been playing, not only do I think they can cover the spread, but I also believe they will win the game outright.

The Warriors are 0-3 ATS  versus divisional teams, while the Lakers are 5-1 ATS this season. Lakers pick up their 25^th Christmas Day win as LeBron plays for possibly his last time on the holiday.

Bet: Los Angeles Lakers (+160), Lakers +4.5 (-110)

Denver Nuggets vs. Pheonix Suns Odds

The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns have played against each other 211 times. The Suns hod the advantage with a 104-88 regular season mark and a 12-7 postseason record.

Over the last 10 meetings, each team has won five games apiece. However, the Suns have won four of the last five. In the 2023-24 season, the Suns took two of the games. Additionally, Phoenix is 3-1 SU in their last four home games versus the Nuggets.

Denver is 6-4 ATS in the last 10 matchups. The Over/Under is even with five wins apiece.

Denver Nuggets vs. Pheonix Suns Predictions

The Nuggets and Suns have a unique situation unlike other teams on Christmas Day. These two teams are playing against each other on December 23^rd. Our article will be published before the game is played.

Neither team has fared well against the spread as the Suns are 9-19 and the Nuggets are 10-15-1 ATS this season. Both are about .500 against the spread in Conference play.

If we look at their overall stats, the Nuggets average five more points a game, 14 more points per game in the paint, four more assists and turn the ball over less. Both defenses are playing at about the same level of play.

With that said, I like the Nuggets to win. Jokic is too much for Phoenix’s Nurcic to handle. Additionally, the Nuggets have enough talent to handle Phoenix’s Big 3 and then some. I’m taking Denver to win the game and cover the spread.

Bet: Denver Nuggets -115, Nugget -1.5 (-110)

Best Bets For NBA Christmas Games

The following is our list of the best bets for NBA Christmas games:

• New York Knicks -390
• Boston Celtics -390
• Los Angeles Lakers +4.5 (-110)
• Denver Nuggets -1.5 (-110)

The Knicks and Celtics play at home versus teams that are inferior to them. Despite some of the talent they will face, their teams are far better on paper and the hardwood. I expect both Boston and New York to cruise to victory.

The Lakers are in a good spot on Christmas. They face a banged up Golden State team that’s still figuring out its lineups.

Los Angeles has played well over the last week and are in the middle of a nice run up the standings along with the Pacific Division. Additionally, the Lakers are 5-1 ATS in divisional play this season, while the Warriors are 0-3 ATS.

The Nuggets at home will be too much for Phoenix to handle. Jokic is going to dominate the paint, while Murray and company will battle Phoenix’s Big 3 to a stalemate. Yet, Jokic’s performance will be the difference as Denver wins the game.

NBA Christmas Day Parlay

• Boston Celtics -390
• Los Angeles Lakers +4.5 (-110)
• Denver Nuggets -1.5 (-110)

If you bet $100 on this NBA Christmas Day parlay card, then you would win $357.91 and a total payout of $457.91. If you want to add the Knicks moneyline of -390 to make this a four-leg NBA parlay, then that would bump up your total winnings to $475.32.

NBA Christmas Day Record

The following is a list of each active team’s record on Christmas Day. These records do not include the 2024 NBA Christmas Day games.