Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks December 25

It's a Christmas Day edition of the NBA schedule and we're looking forward to five exciting matchups between some of the best teams in the NBA!

Opening the night are the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks. Following them is a star-studded matchup between LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks. Kicking off the evening schedule is a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. Followed by a new Western Conference rivalry between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors. And closing out the festivities is an exciting game between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets!

Let's take a look at the bets!

Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks

When: 12:00 PM EST

Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -2.0 (-110) @ bet365

Kicking off the Christmas Day schedule is a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks! Philadelphia finds themselves fifth in the Eastern Conference and climbing, but enter with a pedestrian 5-7 road record. The Knicks are right on their tail though, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference while owning a 23-31 record on Christmas Day!

New York have proven themselves to be a gritty team, allowing teams to shoot just 45.0% from the field (3rd in the NBA) while frustrating them on the boards with 13.0 offensive rebounds per game (2nd in the NBA). While the Philadelphia 76ers love to play through their stars, they're no slouches defensively either. They allow just 107.4 points per game (2nd in the NBA) while also limiting teams to 32.6% shooting from three (1st in the NBA).

The Knicks and the Sixers are sure to put on a classic, gritty Eastern Conference matchup. Expect the difference in roster quality to be felt though, with New York just falling short both in the paint and on the perimeter.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks

When: 2:30 PM EST

Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers (+240) @ DraftKings Sportsbook

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks have been on a similar trend as of late. The Lakers find themselves 13th in the Western Conference with key injuries to Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. The Mavericks are currently ninth in the West and are experiencing injury issues themselves with role players Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber.

The Los Angeles Lakers like to find their points in transition off the back of controlling the defensive glass. The Lakers average 32.5 two-point field goals (2nd in the NBA) on 55.0% efficiency while collecting 35.6 defensive rebounds per game (3rd in the NBA). Through their star-centric style of play, the Mavericks convert on 57.0% of their two-point field goal opportunities (4th in the NBA) despite scoring only 23.8 two-point field goals per game (30th in the NBA).

This should be a thrilling matchup between LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Both are lead playmakers and their success defines their team's success. Dallas are missing their most versatile defenders, and Los Angeles' gameplan doesn't really change regardless of injury - although they would surely prefer for Anthony Davis to be on the court. Expect a running game and that's where the Lakers thrive.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics

When: 5:00 PM EST

Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks (+140) @ BetRivers

The Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks face off in a game with massive implications for the top of the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks have been first in the East for a few weeks now, but the Boston Celtics are on their tail. The Boston Celtics have fought through a down streak, and have the opportunity to secure first in the Eastern Conference after a 4-6 record over their last 10 games.

Milwaukee are known as a tremendous defensive team, allowing just 108.9 points per game (4th in the NBA) on 44.9% (2nd in the NBA) shooting from the field. The Boston Celtics on the other hand are one of the league's most threatening offensive teams, averaging 118.0 points per game (2nd in the NBA) while hitting 15.9 threes per game (2nd in the NBA) on 37.9% efficiency (6th in the NBA).

This will be the first game this season between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have struggled to integrate big man Robert Williams back into the lineup and the Milwaukee Bucks thrive against traditional lineups. Barring a massive change in gameplan from the Celtics, expect Milwaukee to find victory with their paint presence.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors

When: 8:00 PM EST

Spread: Memphis Grizzlies -3.5 (-110) @ bet365

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors face off in a matchup that reignites the competitiveness of their 2022 NBA Playoff series. The Grizzlies find themselves battling for the top of the Western Conference after an average start to the season. The Golden State Warriors are on the opposite trend, sitting 11th in the Western Conference while hampered by injuries to key players Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins.

The Memphis Grizzlies have maintained their high-octane offense this season. They average 115.4 points per game (8th in the NBA) by pushing the fast-break off the back of their 48.8 rebounds per game (1st in the NBA). While the Warriors' defense hasn't met the mark this season, they are still averaging 116.5 points per game (5th in the NBA) and are hitting 16.2 threes per game (1st in the NBA) on 38.0% efficiency (5th in the NBA).

Health will play a major factor in this game and at the moment the Warriors are significantly disadvantaged. Golden State is sure to put up a fight, but Memphis' two-way quality should be the difference maker on this Christmas Day matchup.

Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets

When: 10:30 PM EST

Spread: Denver Nuggets -2.5 (-110) @ Unibet NJ

Closing out the night is an exciting Western Conference matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. A recent run of negative form has seen the Suns fall to fourth in the Western Conference, despite spending much of the early season in pole position. The Denver Nuggets are the team that have taken their place, with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic leading the way for them.

The Denver Nuggets are famous for their high-scoring play and efficient team offense. They are averaging 115.4 points per game (7th in the NBA) on 50.3% field goal efficiency (2nd in the NBA), and their play is predicated by their fantastic passing game - 28.2 assists per game (2nd in the NBA). The Suns are a true two-way threat, averaging 115.7 points (6th in the NBA) on 47.1% shooting efficiency (15th in the NBA), while allowing just 110.7 points per game (7th in the NBA) on 46.9% field goal efficiency (15th in the NBA).

The Suns are disadvantaged as there are questions about whether or not Devin Booker will be able to participate in this game. It isn't as though Denver doesn't have its own injury issues, with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. listed as day-to-day. This will be the first of four meetings between these teams this season, and Denver's recent run of form suggests home-court advantage tips the game in their favor.