- The Utah Jazz are the biggest and only double-digit favorites on Christmas Day at -12.5 points against the Dallas Mavericks.
- The Knicks and Bucks are currently seven-point favorites against the Hawks and Celtics, respectively.
- Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are 6.5 point home favorites against the Golden State Warriors in the biggest game of the slate.
NBA action returns after a one-day break with an absolutely loaded five-game slate on Christmas Day.
Absolutely LOADED Christmas Day NBA schedule tomorrow!
Get involved here: https://t.co/E0PdOBRggT pic.twitter.com/L0sv9EckN2
— MyBookie – Bet With The Best (@MyBookie) December 25, 2021
The Utah Jazz not only host the final game on the schedule, but they are also the biggest betting favorite of the day. The Jazz are 12.5 point betting favorites at the BetOnline App against a Dallas Mavericks team that looked hardly recognizable during last Thursday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Luka Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr. didn’t play due to COVID-19 protocols while Kristaps Porzingis is out with a toe injury. It remains to be seen if Hardaway and Porzingis will play on Christmas Day but Doncic has already been ruled out. The Jazz though age 0-4 ATS in their last four games played and failed to cover as 15.5 point favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last assignment.
Hawks Have Nine Players in Protocols
Hawks injury report for Christmas Day game adds that Onyeka Okongwu is out in health and safety protocols.
That’s nine players in protocols for them.
Both Cam Reddish and Delon Wright are probable to play. pic.twitter.com/B4MXbX60jK
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) December 24, 2021
The Atlanta Hawks upset the Philadelphia 76ers as +500 betting underdogs last Thursday despite playing without four of their starters, including Trae Young. With Atlanta listing nine players in the COVID-19 protocols in their latest injury list, the New York Knicks are now 7 point favorites to beat the Hawks on Christmas Day after opening at -1.5 points.
Kemba Walker is coming off one of his best games in a long time with 44 points last Thursday but it wasn’t enough as the Knicks lost to the Wizards. New York is just 6-11 SU at home this season including 1-6 SU in their last seven games played at the Garden. But with three starters and a red-hot Walker, the Knicks are expected to gift their fans with a dub tomorrow.
The Milwaukee Bucks are also seven-point favorites against the Boston Celtics at the Fiserv Forum. The defending champions opened as -3.5 point favorites against Boston but with Giannis Antetokounmpo clearing the COVID-19 protocols and could be ready to play on Saturday, the betting lines have moved from -3.5 to -7.0.
26-5 Versus 26-6
26-5.
26-6.What an #NBAXmas treat.
SUNS/WARRIORS tomorrow at 5 PM ET on ABC! pic.twitter.com/32mEYhd62w
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2021
Without question, the biggest game on the NBA’s 2021 Christmas Day schedule is the 5 pm ET game between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns in the desert. The Suns have overtaken the Warriors as the top team in the NBA with their 26-5 record but Golden State is just one-half game back at 26-6. Both teams have split their last two meetings but the Suns are currently 6.5 point betting favorites to beat the Dubs.
Steph Curry is coming off a 46-point explosion against the Memphis Grizzlies last Thursday. However, Curry is notoriously a poor Christmas day performer at only 13.1 points per game on 30% FG and 20% 3P. Still, the Warriors are a pretty good road team this season at 10-4 SU but are just 7-6-1 ATS in those games.
Meanwhile, the showdown between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers in Hollywood was supposed to be the crown jewel of Christmas Day. But with the Lakers unable to live up to their preseason hype and the Nets ravaged by COVID-19 issues, it’s become a pick’em game. The Nets recently announced that Kevin Durant will not play in the game, so the Lakers are now the -1.5 point favorites to beat the Nets.
