NBA on Christmas odds, picks, betting information: Warriors at Suns highlights five-game schedule that features Nets at Lakers, Mavericks at Jazz

The NBA on Christmas has turn into one of many largest American sports activities traditions on the calendar. This 12 months, there are 5 video games on Christmas day they usually function the groups with the 4 finest information within the league. The marquee recreation is in the midst of the schedule with the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns assembly with finest file within the NBA on the road.

We’ve gathered the matchups, schedule, TV listings, odds and straight up picks from NBA writers Zach Harper, Sam Vecenie and Cole Huff. Cole has his own preview of the NBA Christmas games that has a Christmas wishlist, highlights the perfect matchups of the day and extra. Zach has a Christmas drinking guide when you’re seeking to have enjoyable another way.

Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

Noon ET, ESPN

Picks

Both the Hawks and Knicks have taken a step again from the place they had been a season in the past. Both groups enter with shedding information.

Sunday’s Hawks-Cavaliers recreation was postponed as a consequence of quite a lot of gamers being put within the league’s COVID-19 well being and security protocol, together with Trae Young. The Hawks have performed two video games since, even beating the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday with out Young. Young is second within the league in scoring (27.3 PPG), however is just not anticipated to be obtainable

The Knicks additionally had quite a lot of gamers put in well being and security protocol, together with R.J. Barrett and Obi Toppin, however haven’t had a recreation postponed but. On prime of that, Derrick Rose is out a number of weeks after present process ankle surgical procedure on Wednesday.

Whoever is on the courtroom, prepare to listen to “bing bong” an entire bunch in Madison Square Garden.

Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks

2:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Picks

The Bucks haven’t been a dominant common season power this season, however are simply two video games behind the Brooklyn Nets for the highest spot within the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are proper the place they completed final season, .500.

Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since Dec. 13 whereas in COVID-19 protocols, however has cleared protocols. Teammate Khris Middleton returned Wednesday after lacking three video games with a knee harm and performed each video games of a back-to-back. On the Celtics aspect, Jayson Tatum has been enjoying by a left ankle sprain and has shot under 40% from the sector in every of the final three video games.

Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns

5 p.m. ET, ABC

Picks

The Warriors have the perfect two information within the NBA, which has made this a little bit of a shock marquee recreation on this slate. The Suns made the NBA Finals final 12 months, however the Warriors’ resurgence earlier than Klay Thompson’s return has been one of many surprises of the season to this point. Thompson received’t play on this recreation, but it surely’s nonetheless an excellent barometer for each groups and a possible playoff preview.

Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole and Damion Lee are in COVID-19 well being and security protocols, which is a blow for the Warriors. Wiggins and Poole are the second and third-leading scorers on the group behind Steph Curry.

Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers

8 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN

Picks

Do we all know what the Lakers are but? The file is way from particular, however accidents proceed to be an issue. LeBron James has solely performed 21 video games and Anthony Davis has a knee harm that can have him out for at the least a couple of extra weeks. The rotating forged of characters behind that hasn’t helped continuity both.

Meanwhile, the Nets appear to be the perfect group within the Eastern Conference, even with out Kyrie Irving. However, Brooklyn had video games on Dec. 19, 21 and 23 postponed as a consequence of a number of gamers being in COVID-19 protocols. It wasn’t clear if this recreation would occur, however the Nets will have enough players to play, together with James Harden. Kevin Durant won’t play.

Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz

10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Picks

The Mavericks are a strong 12-9 when Luka Doncic performs, however have struggled within the video games he has missed. Doncic is out with an ankle harm and is on COVID-19 protocols, which takes the shine off this recreation a bit.

On the opposite aspect, Utah isn’t far behind the Warriors and Suns on the prime of the Western Conference. Donovan Mitchell is averaging greater than 25 factors per recreation and Mike Conley is placing up profession numbers from 3-point vary. The Jazz are the highest-scoring group within the NBA, coming in at 115.8 factors per recreation. The Mavs are on the opposite finish of the spectrum, at twenty seventh.