The NFL may have US-celebrated Thanksgiving, but the NBA owns Christmas Day worldwide. This year, the NBA has once again stuffed fans’ stockings to the brim with a jam-packed five-game schedule featuring the best teams and all the star power.
So if you don’t mind the special sleeved jerseys all teams will be wearing, be prepared for almost 12 hours of NBA action. Here’s what you have to look forward to in each contest.
Head over to the sportsbook and bet on all of the games on Christmas Day once odds are released.
*Updated as of December 18
Betting Preview for 2013 NBA Christmas Day Games
| Teams | Time | Spread | Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets | 12:00 PM ET | TBA | TBA |
| Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks | 2:30 PM ET | TBA | TBA |
| Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 5:00 PM ET | TBA | TBA |
| Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs | 8:00 PM ET | TBA | TBA |
| Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors | 10:30 PM ET | TBA | TBA |
1. Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets – 12:00 PM ET
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
This was supposed to be Derrick Rose’s first Christmas game back after last year’s absence. But unfortunately, injury cut the former MVP’s season short once again, taking the Bulls’ championship hopes with him. [sc:NBA240banner ]
The Bulls still possess an excellent defense with Tom Thibadeau at the helm; the problem will be to manufacture enough points without their star point guard, and it has come to pass. The Bulls have only scored over 100 points twice since Rose’s injury on Nov. 22. Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer have carried the brunt of the offensive load, but it has not nearly been enough.
The Bulls, even without Rose, won their first round playoff series against the Nets 4-3 last year as they clinched the deciding Game 7 on Brooklyn’s home floor.
Betting on the Brooklyn Nets
Mikhail Prokhorov’s very expensive gamble has so far not paid off, but it’s showing signs of getting better. After a horrendous 5-14 start, embattled head coach Jason Kidd has finally strung together their first winning streak of the season against the Bucks, Celtics and Clippers in early December.
Injuries have played a major part in their early-season malaise, but Brook Lopez, Paul Pierce and Deron Williams are all back and contributing. Forgotten man Joe Johnson has been an ever-present and has been by far Brooklyn’s most consistent player.
The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between the two Eastern Conference teams.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks – 2:30 PM ET
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
With Russell Westbrook back healthy, the Thunder are once again playing like the cream of the crop in the stacked Western Conference. The explosive guard is not quite completely at his best, but he doesn’t need to be with Kevin Durant playing MVP-caliber basketball.
The three-time scoring champ is entrenched in his usual spot atop the scoring charts, but he is also averaging career highs in rebounds and assists as he continues to improve his game. Aside from their dynamic duo and the sturdy Serge Ibaka, the Thunder are also getting timely contributions from reserves Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb.
The Thunder are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games vs. the Knicks.
Betting on the New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony usurped Durant’s scoring title last year and is hot on his heels again this season, but his Knicks are light-years from the Thunder in terms of record. However, the Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings with the Thunder at Madison Square Garden.
Just months removed from a division-winning season, the Knicks are currently one of the worst teams in the awful East. The team is sorely missing their defensive rock Tyson Chandler, as evidenced by their drop in Defensive Efficiency from 18th a year ago to 28th this year. The initial timetable for his injury (4-6 weeks) put his return at around Christmas time, a present the Knicks will definitely need.
3. Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 5:00 PM ET
Betting on the Miami Heat
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Miami Heat also received their Christmas gift early in the form of an atrocious Eastern Conference. With Chicago, New York and Brooklyn all falling by the wayside, Miami is all but assured a top two seed at the very least.
But that hasn’t stopped LeBron James and co. from putting their foot on the gas, as the Heat have already reeled off a double-digit winning streak within the first month of the season. And with the prospect of going head-to-head with Kobe, don’t expect them to let up on Christmas, either. Miami is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games against LA.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are still hovering around .500 and only just outside the playoff spots in the West, thanks largely to the outstanding bench production from Lakers reserves like Xavier Henry and Nick Young, who is the team’s leading scorer.
The kings of showtime will once again be without Kobe Bryant for this much anticipated match-up with King James and the Miami Heat at Staples Center. Los Angeles is 7-3 SU in their last 10 home games vs. Miami.
4. Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs – 8:00 PM ET
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are up to their usual regular-season tricks. Despite 37-year old Tim Duncan playing more and more like his age, the Spurs are still efficiently and effortlessly racking up wins – at one point 11 in a row – to sit near the top of the stacked Western Conference.
And in typical Spurs fashion, they rely on a collective effort to get the job done. Only Tony Parker is averaging over 30 minutes and 15 points on a team that has nine players averaging 7 or more points.
All hands will have to be on deck when they visit Dwight Howard on Christmas. The Spurs won last season’s series with the Howard-less Rockets, 3-1.
Betting on the Houston Rockets
The enormous gift that is Dwight Howard is paying off in Houston, where the Rockets have broken into the Top 5 of the West. With Howard, Houston has improved in both Offensive and Defensive Efficiency, and are in the top 3 in both scoring and rebounding.
However, if the Rockets had one Christmas wish, it would be the improved health of James Harden. The All-Star swingman has already missed a handful of games due to a lingering foot problem. Harden (31 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) was instrumental in handing the Spurs a rare home loss in their first meeting this season.
5. Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors – 10:30 PM ET
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Clippers aren’t dreaming of a white Christmas in Los Angeles; they’re dreaming of a championship. And in Chris Paul, they have one of the best point guards to help make that dream come true.
Paul trails only LeBron James in terms of Player Efficiency Rating (PER), which was aided by his game-winning 42-point, 15-assist performance against the Warriors in just the third day of the new season. The over is 6-0 in their last 6 meetings with the Warriors.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry did everything he could in Golden State’s last meeting against the Clippers, but his 38 points and nine 3-pointers weren’t enough to upend Chris Paul’s heroics. He will have the opportunity to return the favor on Christmas Day. The Warriors are 8-2 SU in their last 10 meetings at the Oracle.
The Warriors had a wobble from late November to early December after a hamstring injury sidelined defensive stopper Andre Iguodala, but with their versatile wing back healthy, Golden State will look to claw its way back up the Western standings.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the Top Bet faithful out there! Head over to the sportsbook and win yourself a wonderful holiday treat by betting on these great NBA games set for the 25th.
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