When the NBA’s schedule releases prior to the start of the season, there are always a few key dates that fans around the world must circle and plan around.
The specific dates include Opening Day, All-Star Weekend, the Trade Deadline and Christmas Day.
Of course, with Santa and his elves getting ready to make their rounds over in the next few days, that means the Christmas Day marquee matchups are all but here. Some pre-existing injuries will derail certain matchups, but outside of that, there’s reason to be excited about the day’s slate.
We are ready to watch and bet on the action here at Bet For The Win. Let’s preview the games.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks (Noon ET on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+)
Once you’re done unwrapping Christmas presents, you can begin your NBA Sunday with a battle at MSG between the Knicks and Sixers. Well, if you’re on the West Coast, this game might commence before you get started underneath the tree.
Either way, this matchup should be a good one. While the Sixers don’t have Tyrese Maxey, all of their other key players are healthy and thriving. Philly’s on a seven-game winning streak and looking like a contender. Meanwhile, the Knicks are playing their best ball of the season and recently had a winning streak of their own that stopped at eight games.
But when it comes down to it, its all about matchups. New York likely won’t have an answer for Embiid, and Philly has enough size and length to bother the Knicks.
The Pick: Sixers (spread)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
If we are being honest, this is probably the least-anticipated game of the slate. The Lakers aren’t having a good season, and with Anthony Davis missing this game due to a recent foot injury, this matchup loses a bit of luster. It also doesn’t help that the Mavs aren’t quite living up to expectations after their Western Conference Finals appearance earlier this year.
The stardom of LeBron James and Luka Doncic will save this one from being unwatchable. And in the end, Dallas will probably make enough 3-pointers to give the Mavericks a somewhat close win.
The Pick: Mavericks (moneyline)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics (5:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
Ah, here we go! This should be the game of the day, and given its start time, it seems like the NBA expects this to be as well. Seven games during last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals didn’t feel like enough.
One of the big talking points of that series was how Khris Middleton’s absence due to injury potentially played a role in the outcome. Middleton’s only played in seven of the 32 games this season and missed the most recent one thanks to a knee injury. Whether he plays or not, the showdown between arguably the conference’s two best teams will be fun.
Based on what’s happened over the past couple of weeks, it feels like Boston needs this game more. They’ll get it, too.
The Pick: Celtics (spread)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors (8:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
Ja Morant and Draymond Green lobbied for this to be a Christmas matchup, and they got it. The only problem is that Stephen Curry, who injured his shoulder a little more than a week ago, is going to miss the game.
We’ll keep it simple: The Grizzlies are near the top of the Western Conference, and the Warriors wouldn’t be a Play-In Tournament team if the season ended today. Add to that the fact that Golden State just lost back-to-back games without Curry by 30 or more points. Memphis should have no problem covering the spread.
The Pick: Grizzlies (spread)
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
If Boston-Milwaukee isn’t the best and most competitive game of the day, it’ll be because this matchup between the Suns and Nuggets took the cake. Denver is quietly going about its business and is at the top of the Western Conference standings, as Nikola Jokic continues to play like one of the best players in the NBA. And while Phoenix’s ride has been a bit bumpier thus far, Devin Booker’s play has the team in a good spot.
So, what gives? It’s hard to play in Denver thanks to the altitude, the crowd, and the Nuggets being really good. They’re just a better team than the Phoenix, and I’d bet on them covering on Christmas night.
The Pick: Nuggets (spread)
