[h=1]Best bets for NBA on Christmas Day[/h]
ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)
The NBA on Christmas Day is a tradition that dates back more than 70 years. In more recent times, it has become a showcase of some of the biggest names and best teams in the NBA on a day in which the league takes center stage without competition from any of the other major American sports.
This year's slate of five games stretches from coast to coast, from noon to late in the night, and with so many high-profile matchups, the opportunity to find value in each betting market is ripe. We've asked a few of our NBA experts -- Doug Kezirian, Jordan Schultz and Andre Snellings -- to give their best bets for the day.
Lines displayed are from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Monday afternoon. As always, shop around for the best price.
[h=2]Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (-9)[/h]8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN)
Total: 235
Snellings: On the season, the Lakers have an <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>average scoring margin of plus-1.8 and the Warriors a margin of plus-5.0. Even with the Dubs at home, they shouldn't be giving nine points to a team like the Lakers. In fact, the Warriors have won only one game by that large of a scoring margin in their past seven efforts. While they always have blowout potential, LeBron James and the Lakers are likely to bring their A-game as well on the big stage, and thus keep the game competitive.
Pick: Lakers +9
[h=2]Milwaukee Bucks (-10) at New York Knicks[/h]Noon ET (ESPN)
Total: 227
Snellings: The Christmas Day games are the closest thing we'll get to an actual representation of each team's full strength during the regular season, because every team is rested (there were no games on Christmas Eve) and every game gets the national spotlight. As such, these teams should perform to level. On the season, the Bucks lead the NBA with a plus-8.4 scoring margin per game, while the Knicks are among the basement teams at minus-7.3. Even with the Knicks getting a boost at home, the Bucks should be getting more than 10 points.
Pick: Bucks -10
[h=2]Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (-4)[/h]5:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Total: 223.5
Kezirian: Brad Stevens has tinkered with his rotations and now seems to have found the right combination. Since Gordon Hayward was relegated to a reserve role, Boston is 10-6 ATS. That includes four straight covers with Al Horfordstarting and healthy. Plus, Stevens has the best cover percentage in ESPN's database, which dates back to the 1990-91 season (minimum 175 games). I'll side with Boston, which clearly had an inspired effort on Sunday, following its players-only meeting.
Pick: Celtics -4
Schultz: Joel Embiid has grown frustrated with the Celtics "kicking Philly's ass," and his Christmas wishes of a win over Boston will finally be fulfilled. The Celtics are struggling right now, with three straight losses to Detroit, Phoenix and Milwaukee before finally notching a win against Charlotte on Sunday. The reason for their struggles? Repeated defensive lapses, specifically in the half court.
This is a real problem against Embiid & Co., who gashed the Knicks and Raptors for 131 and 126 points, respectively, last week. As Embiid -- a legitimate MVP candidate -- and Ben Simmons continue to find their rhythm with Jimmy Butler, expect the Sixers to do more of the same. The most important mission for the 76ers will be forcing Celtics All-Star center Al Horford to guard the perimeter and plenty of pick-and-roll as he works through his minutes restriction.
Pick: 76ers +4
[h=2]Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz (-6)[/h]10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Total: 214.5
Snellings: On the season, the Trail Blazers are 19-14 with an average scoring margin of plus-0.7, while the Jazz are 16-18 with a plus-1.0 average scoring margin. The Jazz have played better of late, including a 30-point blowout win over the Trail Blazers last week, but that game stands out as an outlier for both teams. Outside of that game, the Trail Blazers have won four straight, including a win over the Toronto Raptors and road victories over both the Clippers and Grizzlies. The Jazz shouldn't be giving this many points in this game.
Pick: Trail Blazers +6
ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)
The NBA on Christmas Day is a tradition that dates back more than 70 years. In more recent times, it has become a showcase of some of the biggest names and best teams in the NBA on a day in which the league takes center stage without competition from any of the other major American sports.
This year's slate of five games stretches from coast to coast, from noon to late in the night, and with so many high-profile matchups, the opportunity to find value in each betting market is ripe. We've asked a few of our NBA experts -- Doug Kezirian, Jordan Schultz and Andre Snellings -- to give their best bets for the day.
Lines displayed are from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Monday afternoon. As always, shop around for the best price.
[h=2]Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (-9)[/h]8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN)
Total: 235
Snellings: On the season, the Lakers have an <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>average scoring margin of plus-1.8 and the Warriors a margin of plus-5.0. Even with the Dubs at home, they shouldn't be giving nine points to a team like the Lakers. In fact, the Warriors have won only one game by that large of a scoring margin in their past seven efforts. While they always have blowout potential, LeBron James and the Lakers are likely to bring their A-game as well on the big stage, and thus keep the game competitive.
Pick: Lakers +9
[h=2]Milwaukee Bucks (-10) at New York Knicks[/h]Noon ET (ESPN)
Total: 227
Snellings: The Christmas Day games are the closest thing we'll get to an actual representation of each team's full strength during the regular season, because every team is rested (there were no games on Christmas Eve) and every game gets the national spotlight. As such, these teams should perform to level. On the season, the Bucks lead the NBA with a plus-8.4 scoring margin per game, while the Knicks are among the basement teams at minus-7.3. Even with the Knicks getting a boost at home, the Bucks should be getting more than 10 points.
Pick: Bucks -10
[h=2]Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (-4)[/h]5:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Total: 223.5
Kezirian: Brad Stevens has tinkered with his rotations and now seems to have found the right combination. Since Gordon Hayward was relegated to a reserve role, Boston is 10-6 ATS. That includes four straight covers with Al Horfordstarting and healthy. Plus, Stevens has the best cover percentage in ESPN's database, which dates back to the 1990-91 season (minimum 175 games). I'll side with Boston, which clearly had an inspired effort on Sunday, following its players-only meeting.
Pick: Celtics -4
Schultz: Joel Embiid has grown frustrated with the Celtics "kicking Philly's ass," and his Christmas wishes of a win over Boston will finally be fulfilled. The Celtics are struggling right now, with three straight losses to Detroit, Phoenix and Milwaukee before finally notching a win against Charlotte on Sunday. The reason for their struggles? Repeated defensive lapses, specifically in the half court.
This is a real problem against Embiid & Co., who gashed the Knicks and Raptors for 131 and 126 points, respectively, last week. As Embiid -- a legitimate MVP candidate -- and Ben Simmons continue to find their rhythm with Jimmy Butler, expect the Sixers to do more of the same. The most important mission for the 76ers will be forcing Celtics All-Star center Al Horford to guard the perimeter and plenty of pick-and-roll as he works through his minutes restriction.
Pick: 76ers +4
[h=2]Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz (-6)[/h]10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Total: 214.5
Snellings: On the season, the Trail Blazers are 19-14 with an average scoring margin of plus-0.7, while the Jazz are 16-18 with a plus-1.0 average scoring margin. The Jazz have played better of late, including a 30-point blowout win over the Trail Blazers last week, but that game stands out as an outlier for both teams. Outside of that game, the Trail Blazers have won four straight, including a win over the Toronto Raptors and road victories over both the Clippers and Grizzlies. The Jazz shouldn't be giving this many points in this game.
Pick: Trail Blazers +6
