There weren't any games yesterday, and the sportsbooks needed a day to recover from the beat down we gave them. Michael Porter easily cleared his 24.5 point line with 28 points. He led the Brooklyn Nets to a surprise victory over the Philadelphia 76ers despite being +10.5 underdogs. Porter Jr. could play himself into an All-Star game.

The Milwaukee Bucks were -1.5 favorites, and it was one of the easiest tickets to cash this season. Milwaukee outscored Indiana in the first three quarters, and we should have teased up the point total. But winning the spread ensured a profit. Jalen Johnson recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in regulation. But that was not enough to cover the 45+ PRA, and not enough to earn a top-three King of the Court. It was not chalky enough; King of the Courts must be chalky in order to be successful.

Tuesday’s column was a Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets tradition, Meatloaf. And the expression it represents is, ‘Two out of three ain’t bad’. The NBA has a tradition that very few sports can rival. The NBA has played on Christmas for over three-quarters of a century. 78 years of the NBA on Christmas, and there is a loaded slate today. Five games take place, and they feature great teams and players in every match. Today, there are two straight bets and two player props to stuff the stockings.

 

 

 

NBA Best Bets Today, 12/25: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday Christmas Games

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks: Thursday 12/25

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET | TV: ABC/ESPN | Location: Madison Square Garden | Odds: NYK -5.5 | O/U 218.5

The New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden in a match between two teams that were expected to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. That still could happen, but Cleveland must improve their health and start winning games. They are expected to lose this game by 5.5 points, and it is the first best bet of the day.

The Knicks have shown their ability to play in big games this season. They won the NBA Cup in a come-from-behind manner. Now the team that has played in the most Christmas Day games looks to cover the spread against a team that is not playing their best basketball. -5.5 seems a bit low for a team that is second in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are 14 - 2 at home this season, which is the most home victories in the Association.

Karl-Anthony Towns will be a problem for Jarrett Allen and Cleveland’s frontcourt. Jalen Brunson is a problem for almost every backcourt, and Mitchell Robinson will be a rebounding machine. Put a unit on the best bet of the Knicks to cover the spread at home.

Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors: Tuesday 12/25

Game Time: 5:00 PM ET | TV: ABC/ESPN | Location: Chase Center | Odds: GS -7.5 | O/U 227.5

The Dallas Mavericks upset the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday Night in a back-and-forth battle that went to the last field goal attempt. Now they take their talents to San Francisco to play the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. They enter as underdogs in this match, just like they did in the last match.

The Dallas Mavericks are better than their 12 - 19 record. Ryan Nembhard has brought stability to the point guard position. This is allowing Cooper Flagg to play his more natural position and gives him freedom to roam the court. He earned 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in Tuesday’s victory. Paired with Anthony Davis, Dallas has a very underrated trio, with a dynamic duo in Davis in Flagg.

Golden State is playing well, and they are relatively healthy. However, there is discontent as Draymond Green walked out on the team in the third quarter. It was due to an argument with Head Coach Steve Kerr, and Kerr is in a weird position of maximizing Stephen Curry’s talents while not injuring him. While figuring out the best pieces to put around him, depending on the matchup.

If Tuesday wasn’t the come-out national television game for Flagg, then Christmas Day against a dying dynasty is. There won’t be another NBA game during their time slot, and Flagg can show the world what a great basketball player he is. Put a unit on the Mavericks to cover the spread on Christmas. 

 

 

 

NBA Christmas Prop Bets Today, 12/25

Reed Sheppard has been a spark plug for the Houston Rockets. He is averaging 25.8 minutes per game this season, and it is paired with 13.5 points per game. His point line is set a point below his average, against a team that allows 116.8 points per game. There is a great opportunity to earn his average against an older and injured lineup.

The Rockets play the Los Angeles Lakers today, and they played the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. They have been in Los Angeles for four days over the Christmas break. Sheppard, like Cooper Flagg, could have a breakout game on national television. They are the only game in that time frame, and if the Lakers look to eliminate Kevin Durant or Alperen Sengun’s offense, Sheppard will be open for several field goal attempts. Put a unit on this best bet, and expect Sheapprd to earn his average or more. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have lost four games this season, and two of them have been against the San Antonio Spurs. They lost to them on Tuesday and in the semi-finals of the NBA Cup. The Thunder have also lost three of their last five games, and perhaps the romance of defending the title is turning into an every-game battle. Or it could be that San Antonio is a bad match for them. Victor Wembanyama is a tough match for everyone.

He is still on a minutes restriction, and the Spurs have destroyed the Thunder with Wembanyama playing 23 minutes or less in each game. He has not played more than 25 minutes since returning, and the 25-minute game was the NBA Cup. He has gone over 2.5 blocks in just one game since returning from injury. Despite that, he is still averaging 3.3 blocks per game this season. He was pumped after their victory Tuesday, and the best bet is for him to deliver on the plus odds block proposition. Put a unit on him to do just that, and enjoy a day of great basketball.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy G. -
*All bets placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise. 

 

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