2023 NBA Christmas Games Odds and Predictions

NBA Christmas games have been a hallmark of the league for 75 years. The tradition continues in 2023, with five Christmas NBA games on the schedule featuring some of the sport’s most iconic teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

Let’s take a look at the latest NBA Christmas odds, courtesy of the best NBA betting sites, and make our NBA Christmas Day predictions for the full slate of hardwood action. 

NBA Christmas Schedule

The following NBA Christmas game odds are courtesy of BetUS:

The NBA Christmas schedule is an all-day event from noon to past midnight ET. According to the odds for the NBA Christmas games, there should be competitive matchups on Monday.

Currently, there isn’t a team larger than a 5-point favorite on the NBA Christmas Day schedule. As a 5-point favorite over the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets have the largest point spread on Christmas.

Best NBA Christmas Day Betting Sites

Several sports betting sites cater to the Christmas Day NBA games. To get the best experience betting on the NBA this Christmas, consider locking in your wagers at BetUS.

As one of our top online sportsbook recommendations, BetUS gives NBA bettors multiple ways to bet on the Christmas matchups. Whether pre-game, during the game, at halftime, or on individual players, BetUS has a bet for every preference.

We appreciate having the option of betting whenever we want on the live betting platform at BetUS. There is no pressure to get your bet in before tip-off. Expect to find betting value throughout each matchup in-play and at halftime.

Additionally, BetUS will offer a variety of NBA Christmas Day prop bets. You can wager on a number of game and player props for NBA Christmas games.

Currently, BetUS is providing bettors with a can’t-miss sports betting promotion. For a limited time, deposit and get a 100% welcome bonus of up to $2,500. The offer includes an extra 25% bonus of up to $625 for casino games.

Alternatively, you can deposit with cryptocurrency to earn a 150% welcome bonus of up to $3,570 for betting on the NBA and more. This offer also includes a 50% casino bonus of up to $1,250. Regardless of your deposit method, both offers come with up to 30 risk-free wagers.

Ready to play at BetUS?

Visit BetUS

Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Odds

The Bucks are road favorites on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden. Oddsmakers are expecting a competitive game, though. As 3-point underdogs, a Knicks win wouldn’t be the biggest shocker on Christmas.

Bucks vs. Knicks Predictions

The Bucks are beginning to hit their stride after going through some growing pains in Damian Lillard’s first year with Milwaukee.

With odds of +420 to win the NBA Championship, the Bucks were the favorites to win the title in the preseason. Currently, the Bucks are tied for the second-best NBA title odds with the Denver Nuggets, at +450.

We fully anticipated the Bucks to have a slow start this season. It was going to take a minute for Griffin’s system to mesh, and Lillard to fit into the lineup alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, Lillard is comfortable and rolling with his new team.

On Tuesday, Lillard recorded a season-high 40 points on 14 of 22 shooting. Lillard connected on 7 of 12 shooting from three. This came after Lillard poured it on the Houston Rockets for 39 points¹.

The Bucks are second in the NBA, with an average of roughly 125 points scored per game. They are in a nice rhythm, and it should continue at MSG. The Knicks will sporadically get huge offensive performances behind Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.

However, they are still looking for more consistency. The Knicks have the 16th-highest-scoring offense, with around 115 points per game². They have a defensive advantage over the Bucks, but in Milwaukee’s current offensive form, it’s unlikely Lillard and Antetokounmpo will be slowed down.

Ride the Bucks while they are hot. They’ve won eight straight over the Knicks, including a 146-22 win on December 5. The Bucks are 6-0-2 against the spread (ATS) during that stretch. Back the confident Bucks at MSG on Christmas Day.

Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets Odds

The Warriors and Nuggets meet for the second time this season at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. On November 8, the Nuggets closed as a 4.5-point favorite in that matchup. Despite picking up the win, they failed to cover in a 108-105 final.

Warriors vs. Nuggets Predictions

The Nuggets are the defending 2022-23 NBA champs, but do they look like a champion this season? At times, they’ve certainly looked like the favorite and, of course, they have the talent to peak again in the spring.

However, the Bucks and Celtics appear like stronger contenders. Additionally, the Minnesota Timberwolves maintain a healthy lead over the Nuggets in the Western Conference standings. In any event, when Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are at their best, the Nuggets are the toughest offense to solve in the NBA.

The Warriors proved they can beat quality teams, but it hasn’t happened frequently this year. On Tuesday, they upset the Celtics in overtime to advance to 13-14 on the season. Nevertheless, they’ve been all over the place this season.

The biggest concern for the Warriors has to be Draymond Green’s unavailability. They will be fine without Green in some matchups. That being said, in Denver, someone has to match up with Jokić, or they won’t have a chance to spring the upset. Jokić scored 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, in the first meeting versus the Warriors without Green³.

Kevon Looney is a fine defender and strong rebounder, but you can’t take Green off the floor and expect Jokić to not take advantage. Even with Green on the floor, the Warriors allowed more than 115 points per game, below the league average for 20th in the NBA⁴.

If Steph Curry and Klay Thompson don’t go off, the Warriors are in trouble because the Nuggets should score at will. Despite Murray only playing in 14 games this season, the Nuggets are seventh, with an offensive efficiency rating of 1.147.

That number will tick up with Murray and Jokić together. Keep in mind, Murray didn’t play in the Nuggets’ 108-105 win over the Warriors on November 8. The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last six over the Warriors, the one loss being without Murray. Expect them to pull ahead in the fourth quarter for an 8 or 9-point win on Christmas.

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds

The Celtics vs. Lakers game is projected to be the highest scoring NBA Christmas Day game. With an Over-Under of 236.5 points, fireworks are expected inside the Crypto.com Arena.

As far as the matchup is concerned, this is a toss-up between the Celtics and Lakers. The last time these two storied franchises met, the Celtics came out on top in overtime on January 28, 125-121.

Celtics vs. Lakers Predictions

The Lakers recently raised the NBA In-Season Tournament banner into the rafters of Crypto.com Arena. It’s a nice addition to LeBron James’ resume, but he would like to win his fifth NBA title before retiring.

James and Davis combined to score 65 points and 31 rebounds. Also, Austin Reaves came off the bench to put in 28 points on the Pacers⁵. After winning the NBA Cup, the Lakers were lackadaisical, though.

They need a big game to motivate them again, and we believe that the Celtics on Christmas Day could do it. As talented as the Celtics are, they are one of the worst bets on the road this season.

At home, the Celtics are a perfect 14-0 team. They are the only NBA team that hasn’t lost at home. However, the Celtics are mediocre away from TD Garden. The Celtics have been a near .500 team on the road, and the worst bet against the spread as a visitor this season⁶.

The Celtics are in the midst of a four-game road trip from December 19 to December 25. In other words, the Celtics are playing four games in six days on the road. The Lakers are back home for their first home game since December 18.

This looks like a great spot for James and Davis to shine on a national broadcast. The Lakers haven’t looked too motivated since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament, but a visit by the Celtics will get their attention. There is solid value on the Lakers as a slight home underdog.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat Odds

In the primetime slot, we should have what should be another closely contested matchup on Christmas Day. The Heat are small favorites over the 76ers at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

It isn’t expected to be one of the highest-scoring matchups on Christmas. According to the NBA Christmas Day odds, the 76ers and Heat have the lowest Over-Under on December 25.

76ers vs. Heat Predictions

This Eastern Conference showdown is the first meeting between the 76ers and Heat since last season. In their last matchup, the Heat torched the 76ers for a 129-101 win in Philadelphia. However, the last time the 76ers were in Miami, they were on the winning side of a 119-96 final.

On paper, the 76ers are the better team in this contest. The emergence of Tyrese Maxey, the favorite to win the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award, has only elevated the 76ers to another level.

Currently, the 76ers rank first in the NBA, with an offensive efficiency rating of 1.182. The Heat are just 13th through the first two months of the season.

Going on the road hasn’t hurt Philadelphia, either. The 76ers have the best offensive efficiency rating on the road at 1.180 this season. Maxey’s 26 points and roughly 7 assists per game have certainly played a role⁷.

Additionally, Joel Embiid has been able to stay on the floor as a healthy member of the 76ers. The 2022-23 NBA MVP is on course to be in consideration for top honors again this season.

Embiid is shooting better than 53 percent from the field and has notched roughly 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists per game⁸. He should have the advantage over Jimmy Butler and the Heat in the paint.

Butler has recently been dealing with a calf injury. He is expected to be fine for Christmas, but it’s something to keep an eye on. It doesn’t help that Butler isn’t 100 percent against a 76ers team that leads the NBA in average scoring margin at +11.3⁹. We like the 76ers to grab a narrow win over the Heat in Miami.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns Odds

The Mavericks and Suns wrap up the NBA Christmas schedule in the desert on Monday night. As 4-point favorites, the Suns are projected to win in what should be an entertaining showdown at the Footprint Center.

Mavericks vs. Suns Predictions

The Suns entered the season with the fourth-best odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship. The acquisition of Bradley Beal shortened their odds, but an injuries and a mediocre start have pushed the odds back up.

Currently, at BetUS, the Suns are +700 after going into the season at +600. So, the public is assuming that when Beal is healthy, the Suns will be a much different team. Otherwise, there is no value on the Suns at +700.

Beal is expected to be out for approximately two more weeks with an ankle injury. If he can’t stay healthy, there is no reason to assume that he’ll be injury free in the spring. Even without Beal, the Suns have a very potent starting five that includes Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

However, this leaves them in the same position as they were last year with little depth off the bench. At the moment, Drew Eubanks, Eric Gordon, and Jordan Goodwin make up the Suns’ primary bench players.

The Suns are next to last, with 28.9 points per game off the bench this season. Conversely, the Mavericks are sixth, with 41 points per game from their reserves¹⁰. The Mavericks aren’t just the Luka Doncic show.

That said, Doncic has been in MVP form in 2023-24. He’s averaged approximately 33 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists going into Christmas Day. Doncic has helped lead the Mavs to sixth in offensive efficiency, with a rating of 1.151, and Top 10 on the road at 1.138.

This is a game that should go down to the wire in the desert. Consider adding the Mavericks as an underdog to your NBA Christmas Day card.

NBA Christmas Prop Bets

BetUS has released a variety of NBA Christmas prop bets to dig into. Find our best NBA Christmas Day player props below:

Giannis Antetokounmpo Total Rebounds

Antetokounmpo has been a rebounding machine as of late. Overall, the “Greek Freak” has notched just over 11 rebounds per game on the season. Even better, the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar has grabbed roughly 12 rebounds per game in December.

The 6-foot-11, 29-year-old big man has recorded double-digit rebounds in the vast majority of matchups this month. There isn’t much value on the Under at -130. So, we suggest considering the Over in a game where Antetokounmpo likely pulls down 12 or 13 rebounds.

Nikola Jokić Total Points + Assists

The Jokić points and assists NBA Christmas prop bet is one of our top picks. He can easily surpass 35 points in this game alone. But adding assists to this prop bet is just giving us free money.

Jokić is averaging roughly 27 points per game entering this Christmas matchup. With over 12 rebounds and almost 10 assists per game, the Serbian is close to averaging a triple-double.

Even if Jokić has a slow game in the points column, his ability to dish the ball should push him Over 35.5 total points and assists. In their last meeting, Jokić scored 35 points and 5 assists against the Warriors without Green.

This looks like a great spot to play the Over 35.5 (points + assists) prop bet on Jokić.

LeBron James Blocks + Steals

Offensive props aren’t the only NBA Christmas prop bets to consider wagering on. We are looking at a James blocks+steals prop bet to play on Christmas. With James averaging approximately 1.5 steals, and nearly a block per game, this is a top-value bet on the Over.

The Lakers are going to need the defense to step up against the Celtics, and James should have extra motivation in what is one of the last NBA Christmas games of his career.

James doesn’t chase down players in transition as much as he has in the past, but he still has that extra gear to get back for a game-changing block. Additionally, in December, James is averaging roughly 2 steals per game. Consider betting on James to go Over 1.5 (blocks + steals) against the Celtics.

Will Luka Doncic Record a Double-Double?

If you are looking for another value bet on Christmas Day, consider locking in Doncic to finish with a double-double against the Suns. We appreciate getting +130 odds on Doncic to notch a double-double at BetUS this Christmas.

In 2023-24, Doncic is almost averaging a triple-double per game. If he isn’t rebounding the ball as effectively one night, you can bet on him finding open teammates for easy baskets.

However, in most cases, Doncic is doing everything for the Mavericks. In his last meeting against the Suns, he was a rebound shy of finishing with a double-double. In December alone, Doncic is on pace for more than 10 double-double performances.

To wrap up your NBA Christmas prop bets card, consider a Doncic double-double wager at +130 odds.

Best NBA Christmas Bets

That brings us to our best NBA betting picks for Christmas Day. The two Balkan players from Serbia and Slovenia that we just mentioned are on our Christmas shortlist for Monday.

Denver Nuggets (-5)

Last month, the Nuggets beat the Warriors by a score of 108-105. And that was without Murray in the starting lineup

On Christmas Day, they’ll have Murray and Jokić, which makes this a completely different Nuggets squad. Murray didn’t win the 2023 NBA Finals MVP over Jokić, but he was certainly qualified.

Curry won’t go down quietly. He’ll have a productive Christmas in Denver. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Green’s defensive contributions will be missed.

Expect Jokić to take full advantage of the Warriors in the absence of Green’s post-defense on the floor. We like the Nuggets to wear down the Warriors and cover the spread.

Dallas Mavericks (+4.5)

The Suns appear to be getting too much respect from oddsmakers against the Mavericks. As a slight favorite, the Suns would make more sense. However, this line is a bit too inflated.

If Durant or Booker have an off game, the Suns are a sub-average team in their current shape. Their regular season record is hovering around the .500 mark, which reflects that fact. They need a healthy Beal back in the lineup to be more competitive.

They don’t have talent coming off the bench to compensate for Durant or Booker having a poor shooting game. Don’t count on Nassir Little and Grayson Allen turning into offensive juggernauts, either.

The Mavericks are 7-2 ATS in their previous nine meetings with the Suns. They just missed out on covering in their last matchup, but it was a closely played 130-126 game in favor of Phoenix in March. Give us Doncic and the Mavericks to cover +4.5 points in the NBA Christmas Games finale.