NBA Christmas Day Betting Preview, Odds, & Predictions

• It’s an NBA Christmas and we’ve got our eye on all five festive season matches!
• Ten teams will be playing on Christmas Day, including the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers and the fast-starting Brooklyn Nets!
• NBA games on Christmas Day have been a tradition since 1947.

The NBA has dominated Christmas Day for years now and we’ve got some of the most exciting early matchups of the season sitting under our tree, ready to enjoy! Whether you’re here to see LeBron or the Greek Freak impose their game or Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving take on last year’s Eastern Conference Finalists, there is definitely a game and bet for you!

Take a look at the latest NBA betting bonuses and promo codes here!

Pelicans vs Heat Odds

Odds from DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or check out more offers and promo codes for the best online sportsbooks.

Pelicans vs Heat Predictions and Picks

Expect a low point total due to the Miami Heat’s incredible defence. While New Orleans have the ability to go off on the scoring end, we don’t expect Miami to let them run wild, as they would like to.

Pick:

Miami Heat to Win (-150)

How to Watch Pelicans vs Heat

Pelicans Key Players: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball

The New Orleans Pelicans have a difficult uphill battle with the Miami Heat. Miami is an excellent defensive team that force opponents into taking three-point shots. The key for the Pelicans will be ensuring quality perimeter looks, rather than the sheer volume that Miami will encourage. If the likes of Williamson, Ball, and Ingram can be successful at the rim, they’ll be difficult to contain on the offensive end.

Heat Key Players: Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo

The Miami Heat will want to move the ball, creating clean and open opportunities across the court in order to avoid New Orleans’ interior bruisers. Tyler Herro’s increased playmaking load will be under the spotlight, but don’t forget that Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic can be leaned on to score in the clutch. As Bam Adebayo patrols the paint, Miami will need to get out on Pelican’s shooters.

Warriors vs Bucks Odds

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Warriors vs Bucs Predictions and Picks

The Golden State Warriors don’t look like they’ll be getting off to a strong start this season. After falling to the Brooklyn Nets in their opener, the Bucks’ personnel is similar if not stronger. Milwaukee will dominate this matchup in the paint, while also locking up the talent-deficient Warriors.

Pick:

Milwaukee Bucks to Win (-560)

How to Watch Warriors vs Bucks

Warriors Key Players: Stephen Curry, James Wiseman, Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Golden State Warriors had a rude awakening in their opening match against the Brooklyn Nets. While Stephen Curry had a wonderful debut to the season, his lack of options on the court were glaring. If they have any hope of beating the Milwaukee Bucks they’ll need to find more production out of their role players – specifically Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins.

Bucks Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday

The Milwaukee Bucks look strong across the board and there is little to suggest that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t dominate the paint in this matchup with the Warriors. More interestingly, Jrue Holiday’s playmaking will be put to the test against a switch-heavy defence as he guides a team he’s only led for about two months. As always, limiting the Warriors’ threes is essential.

Nets vs Celtics Odds

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Nets vs Celtics Predictions and Picks

The Nets’ strong debut only reinforces out confidence in their ability to win this game. While the Celtics can put up a good fight because of their defence, Brooklyn’s unmatchable offence and underrated bench depth will be enough to take down last years Eastern Conference Finalists.

Pick:

Brooklyn Nets to Win (-143)

How to Watch Nets vs Celtics

Nets Key Players: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie

The Brooklyn Nets looked almost unstoppable in their opening match against the Golden State Warriors. It’ll be much more difficult for them as they face a disciplined defence in the Boston Celtics. Boston has versatile defenders across the frontline, so Durant and Irving will not only have to score but act as a facilitator when the defence collapses on them.

Celtics Key Players: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart

The Celtics’ lack of offensive versatility hampered them in the playoffs. Without Kemba Walker that issue will only be exacerbated. More of a focus will be on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the offensive end of the ball, but finding good looks for their role players is essential. Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague were solid additions to the roster, but they’ll be called on to make more of an offensive impact than usual in this game.

Mavericks vs Lakers Odds

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Mavericks vs Lakers Predictions and Picks

The Los Angeles Lakers were able to score against the Clippers’ capable and versatile defensive lineup. Against the Dallas Mavericks they expect to have a much better time, as the Lakers’ own offence should overcome anything Dallas throws at them.

Pick:

Los Angeles Lakers to Win (-295)

How to Watch Mavericks vs Lakers

Mavericks Key Players: Luka Doncic, Josh Richardson, Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks’ offensive potential is probably the best in the NBA. With the attention that Luka Doncic generates on the offensive end, Rick Carlisle’s team has been able to employ an efficient and egalitarian attack that can overcome any defence. The odds are stacked against them with the Lakers, but Doncic has proved us wrong time and time again. Still, secondary scoring from Richardson, Hardaway Jr, and Brunson would do wonders to relieve the pressure from Doncic.

Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Montrezl Harrell

The Los Angeles Lakers struggled in their debut game against the LA Clippers. Despite having a wealth of talent at their disposal, they were unable to recover from the Clippers’ explosive start. They’ll have similar issues against the Mavericks, whose priorities on offence rival if not surpass the Clippers. The benefit for the Lakers this time out is the Mavericks’ leaky defence. Securing paint dominance is crucial to the Lakers’ success. Getting Marc Gasol going after his awful Lakers debut would be a great avenue to victory.

Clippers vs Nuggets Odds

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Clippers vs Nuggets Predictions and Picks

Take a look at the underdog for this matchup. The Clippers opened the season strong against the Lakers, but solving the puzzle that is Jokic and Murray is another question entirely. Just as capable on the offensive end as they are on the defensive end, the Nuggets have the personnel to exploit the Clippers in a similar fashion to their 2020 Playoff series with them.

Pick:

Denver Nuggets to Win (+117)

How to Watch Clippers vs Nuggets

Clippers Key Players: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Serge Ibaka

The Clippers showed that their offensive versatility is greater than expected in their debut victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. The addition of Serge Ibaka seems to have paid off after just one game. A constant pick-and-roll/pop threat, Ibaka’s offensive ability opens up more opportunities for the likes of George and Leonard. The Nuggets exposed them last year as Denver’s ball movement overcame their fantastic one-on-one defence. LA will hope to prove that was a fluke.

Nuggets Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr.

The Denver Nuggets will have to show that they are still a threat after losing key free agents Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant in free agency. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are as good a duo as you can get in the league, but role players like Gary Harris, Will Barton, and Michael Porter Jr. will have to reward their facilitating efforts to win this match. Whether or not their defence can keep up without Grant and Plumlee is a real concern.