The five-game NBA Christmas Day slate is one of the top holiday traditions. Hoops fans have a quintet of matchups to enjoy – and bet on. Here’s a look at what to expect during Sunday’s action on the hardwood.
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NBA Christmas Day Schedule
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks | 12:00 pm
The Knicks and 76ers are both playing at a high level. They’ll jockey for position in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference overall, beginning with Sunday’s Christmas Day opener.
Players to Watch
Joel Embiid is the obvious focal point in this matchup. There is a long list of NBA superstars who have elevated their performance at the Garden. Predicting a 50-point game is irresponsible, but a monster performance from Embiid is in the cards and worth considering for prop bettors. Julius Randle leads the charge for the Knicks. He’s capable of filling the stat sheet and will be a double-double threat on Sunday. Second-year shooting guard Quentin Grimes is an under-the-radar player to keep eyes on as well.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks | 2:30 pm
This game had a bit more juice on paper before Lakers big man Anthony Davis went down with a foot injury. Neither the Lakers nor the Mavericks reside in a safe playoff position, but a win on Sunday will serve as a small but significant step toward that goal.
Players to Watch
Luka Doncic is among a trio of leaders in the MVP race. He finished with a 27-7-4 line in his lone Christmas Day game, and an even better performance is in the cards. The Lakers are synonymous with LeBron James these days, and he’ll need to put the team on his back in the wake of Davis’ injury.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics | 5:00 pm
Sunday’s premier matchup is a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals – and a potential Conference Finals preview. One way or another, these two giants appear to be on a postseason collision course.
Players to Watch
Both the Bucks and Celtics feature deep, quality rosters, but it’s all about Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum, respectively. The duo joins Luka Doncic as MVP frontrunners and can be counted on to deliver a scintillating performance on Christmas Day.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors | 8:00 pm
Golden State is reeling. The good news is they’ll play this matchup at home. The bad news is they still won’t have Steph Curry (shoulder). Memphis, meanwhile, is one of the teams licking its chops for the opportunity to unseat the reigning champs.
Players to Watch
Ja Morant is a future face of the NBA, and Sunday will be another chance for him to perform on the national stage. Morant won’t get to go toe-to-toe with Curry, but Jordan Poole will continue his increased role. He poured in 43 points against the Raptors on Sunday.
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets | 10:30 pm
Suns vs. Nuggets is a matchup NBA fans can anticipate in the playoffs this spring. Both squads reside in a four-team race for the Western Conference’s top spot.
Players to Watch
Nikola Jokic, a.k.a. “Mr. Triple Double” (unofficial nickname), is one of the best “point centers” the game has ever seen. He’ll almost certainly fill up the boxscore with a robust statline. The Suns’ Devin Booker can stuff a stat sheet as well, and he’s well on his way to a fourth straight All-Star appearance.
Odds and lines subject to change prior to tip. Be sure to check the best NBA betting sites for the best prices on each matchup and wager.
