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NBA Christmas Day Picks, Predictions & Best Bets

John Hyslop

By John Hyslop in NBA Basketball

Published:


Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle grabbing a rebound
Dec 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) grabs a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
  • It’s almost Christmas Day which means we’re getting a 5-Game NBA slate on December 25th, 2024
  • My favorite way to get in on the action is by betting NBA player props
  • Since it’s Christmas, we need to spread out the action which is exactly what we’re doing

One of my favorite things to do on Christmas Day is bet the NBA. It’s something that I’ve been doing for years, and honestly, I couldn’t even imagine skipping it. It just wouldn’t feel right. If you think about it, by the time these games start, Christmas is pretty much over. We’re on the back-nine of the day with the kids playing with their new gifts, while everyone else is getting fat and happy. It only makes sense that we throw a little cash down on these athletes and see if we can make a little change. Who couldn’t use a little change? Here are my favorite NBA bets for the day. Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas Day NBA Player Props and Odds

Player Made-Threes Points Pick
Jullian Champagnie (Spurs) 1.5 (Ov +105 / Un -125) 7.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) Over 1.5 Made-Threes (+105)
Player Rebounds Points Pick
Julius Randle (Timberwolves) 6.5 (Ov -140 / Un +110) 20.5 (Ov -125 / Un -105) Under 20.5 Points (-105)
Player Assists Points Pick
Steph Curry (Warriors) 5.5 (Ov -130 / Un +100) 24.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) Over 5.5 Assists (-130)

Odds as of Dec 24th at BetMGM, ESPNBet & DraftKings. Download the top NBA betting apps to wager on the Christmas Day games in the Association.

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Spurs vs Knicks: Jullian for Three

We’re going to need something for the first game between the Spurs and Knicks at MSG. This is non-negotiable. I’ve been betting Christmas Day NBA Games since the beginning of time and that’s the one thing I’ve learned. One of the easiest strategies is to take a plus-money 1.5 three-ball prop. The second I saw my guy Julian Champagnie was playing, I knew exactly what to do.

Here’s the thing with Julian: he shoots a ton of threes. He’s legit out there to make it rain from behind the arc. That’s his job. I know the haters are going to say that he doesn’t start anymore, but as usual, the haters are out of their depth. They simply don’t know ball and it’s sad. I wish they did.

Julian never really played a ton of minutes anyway and now with his bench role, he can just focus on bombing threes. He’s good at it too. Over his last 23 games, the man has canned at least two threes in 19 of them. That’s wild. I think we can trust him to lead us off on Christmas Day.

  • The Pick: Jullian Champagnie Over 1.5 Made Threes (+105) at BetMGM

Timberwolves vs Mavericks: Julius Is Getting Coal This Year

Trust is huge in this game we play. We have to be able to trust these guys we’re sending out to grab coins. Unfortunately, not everyone can be trusted and one of those guys is Julius Randle. He’s a habitual coin stealer. We’ve all seen him do it. What makes it worse is, he’s an undercover coin stealer because he does have nights where he makes you think he won’t steal your cash. Nasty work.

I’m not a big “banned list” guy because it’s unproductive. If we ban a guy, how can he earn our cash back? I prefer to let these guys do work for us and one way is to bet their under. It’s a Scrooge thing to do but it’s necessary.

In Julius’s case, it’s the tough love he needs. We know for a fact it would take a Christmas miracle for him to drop 21+ on Christmas Day. Over his last 10 games, he’s only done that twice. In one of those games, he scored 21 so that shouldn’t even count. I think we should just take his under in this game and let him earn his way back into our hearts (and pockets).

  • The Pick: Julius Randle Under 20.5 points (-105) at DraftKings

Lakers vs Warriors: Steph Is Out There Helping People

By the time the Los Angeles Lakers/Golden State Warriors game starts, we’ll be past the daytime activities and into the nighttime stuff. That does not change the fact that we need action. We can’t forget what’s important. Not on Christmas.

We need a guy to assist us with our cash-grabbing and that man is Steph Curry. The guy can get assist anytime he wants one.

The Warriors situation is a tough one since we’re not really sure who does what since the Dennis Schroder trade. Is Dennis to point guard or is Steph? Who’s getting the damn assists here? (Sorry for the language but it’s an emotional situation.)

I’m thinking it’s still Steph. It was him the whole time. In Dennis’s first game, Steph only had one dime which made things weird. But over the last two games, our guy Steph looked like Mother Teresa out there just helping people. Now he’s got the Lakers who allow 9+ assists per game to the point guard position. We only need six. Feels right.

  • The Pick: Steph Curry Over 5.5 Assists (-130) at ESPNBet
  • 2024 SBD NBA Results – 0-0
John Hyslop

John has spent the past 20+ years betting sports on a daily basis and is considered by many to be a walking sports betting encyclopedia. From obscure player props to sides and totals, if there is an angle, John will find it.

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