NBA Christmas 2021 Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks

• With five straight games being broadcast within 12 hours, Christmas Day is one of the NBA’s biggest events!
• The NBA’s two best teams face off as the Phoenix Suns host the Golden State Warriors!
• The storyline to watch is whether or not LeBron James can break Kobe Bryant’s all-time Christmas Day scoring record!

The NBA always makes it a point to put on some of the best matchups on Christmas Day. Some of the league’s most popular players will be featured across five games and ten teams. Beginning at noon, there will be no shortage of excitement for NBA fans!

Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Odds

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Predictions and Picks

There are some key players likely to be missing on both sides in this matchup. When it comes down to who is left, the Knicks seems to have the more capable contributors. Home court advantage on Christmas Day is great for their chances as well.

Pick:

New York Knicks def. Atlanta Hawks

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Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Storylines, Notes, and Tips

JULIUS RANDLE CALLS GAME ?? pic.twitter.com/wzp2C4ikd1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 16, 2021

To open the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule, fans get to watch a rematch of one of 2021’s most exciting NBA Playoff rematches. The Hawks and Knicks find themselves battling to remain relevant in a vastly improved Eastern Conference.

The New York Knicks won their earlier matchup against the Hawks this season. In a 99-90 win the Knicks were able to hold Atlanta to 35.5% shooting from the field and 24.3% shooting from three. With six players missing due to health and safety protocols and Derrick Rose out after undergoing ankle surgery, the chances that New York can replicate their past defensive intensity are low.

The Atlanta Hawks are surely looking for revenge after earlier season loss. Absences will determine how well the Hawks play, as Trae Young is still questionable for this matchup. Young scored 33 points in his last meeting with New York, but there weren’t many other bright spots.

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Odds

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Predictions and Picks

There a lot of factors that won’t be in play until tip-off, but the Bucks are missing more “key players” than the Boston Celtics. Milwaukee have shown depth in their matchups without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they’ve not been able to contain Boston’s scoring threat.

Pick:

Boston Celtics def. Milwaukee Bucks

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How to Watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks Storylines, notes, and tips

JAYSON TATUM HAS 42.

GET TO LEAGUE PASS NOW.https://t.co/QW4aglgruM pic.twitter.com/O1njPIVTb4

— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2021

Boston and Milwaukee have one of the NBA’s more understated rivalries. Both regularly amongst the best in the East, but rarely matched up in the playoffs, fans see these teams most during the regular season. The Bucks are third in the East and the reigning champions, but the Celtics have had their number this season.

The Boston Celtics are looking for their third straight win against the Milwaukee Bucks. They took advantage of the Bucks’ shorthanded roster in their first meeting, and Jayson Tatum put on a 42-point in their second matchup. To their benefit, Tatum and Brown are expected to be available.

The Milwaukee Bucks have overcome their rough start and now sit third in the Eastern Conference. Having alternated wins and losses in their last five games, they’ll need some steadiness against Boston. With Antetokounmpo’s participation in doubt, all eyes are on Middleton and Holiday.

Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Odds

Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Predictions and Picks

Without Devin Booker available in their last meeting, the Phoenix Suns weren’t able to compete with the Warriors at the highest level. Their lack of scoring threat was apparent, but he should be available for this meeting. The Warriors received a massive boost from their bench last time out, but the same isn’t expected for their Christmas game.

Pick:

Phoenix Suns def. Golden State Warriors

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How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns

Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Storylines, Notes, and Tips

Steph and the Warriors snap the Suns’ 18-game win streak ? pic.twitter.com/IcVpt1bCap

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 4, 2021

The top two teams in the NBA face off when the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns match up on Christmas Day. The two teams met twice already this season, with the season series tied at 1-1. With two more matches in this series to go, their Christmas Day game will break the tie.

Expect a defensive matchup, as Warriors and Suns own the first and second ranked defence in the NBA. Golden State are one of the healthier teams remaining in the NBA, with Stephen Curry putting on a MVP-worthy performance this season.

On the other side of the court, the Phoenix Suns have been incredibly careful and currently have no players under health and safety protocol. The Suns struggled to shoot the ball on top of their issues containing the Warriors’ movement-oriented offence in their last meeting.

Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds

Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Picks

The severely undermanned Brooklyn Nets take on a Los Angeles Lakers team that boasts a record-hunting LeBron James. It’s a mystery as to who will take the Nets, but the Lakers look decidedly stronger based on Brooklyn’s 11 players in health and safety protocols.

Pick:

Los Angeles Lakers def. Brooklyn Nets

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How to Watch Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers Storylines, notes, and tips

75th Anniversary Team members Dwyane Wade and LeBron James connected on two flashy fast breaks on Christmas Day in 2013!

Watch #NBAXmas action all day Saturday on ESPN & ABC starting at 12pm/et. #NBA75 #CoinbaseNBAHolidayCountdown pic.twitter.com/qPdmjOSNd2

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 23, 2021

Likely the marquee matchup of the day, LeBron James leads his Los Angeles Lakers against a shockingly shorthanded Brooklyn Nets team. For the Nets, the game will be difficult enough just getting through 48 minutes.

While a victory for the Lakers is the ultimate goal, LeBron James likely has his eyes on the NBA’s Christmas Day scoring record. With 383 career points on Christmas Day, James trails just Kobe Bryant’s 395 Christmas Day points total.

The Brooklyn Nets have a total of 11 players who have been or are under health and safety protocols since December 14th. In their most recent game, a loss to the Magic, Brooklyn fielded just eight different players. Simply put, participation will determine their chances.

Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz Odds

Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz Predictions and Picks

The Utah Jazz have done an excellent job to carry their performance over from last season. While the Mavericks boast a combination of gritty players and technically skilled players, the Jazz are too skilled in all areas for the Mavericks to steal a win.

Pick:

Utah Jazz def. Dallas Mavericks

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How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz

Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz Storylines, Notes, and Tips

donovan things™️#TakeNote | @spidadmitchell pic.twitter.com/kbiOqOl8nq

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 21, 2021

The last game of Christmas Day, the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz face off with some much-needed exposure for two bright Western Conference teams. The Jazz finished with the league’s best regular season record last season, but failed to take home the NBA title.

The Dallas Mavericks enter this game on the cusp of the top six in the Western Conference. Despite attempts to bolster their roster, they continue to be reliant on the skills of Luka Doncic. On a positive note, the Mavericks have seen an upward trend in Kristaps Porzingis’ production.

Currently third in the Western Conference, the Jazz will make a Christmas Day appearance for the first time since 1997. With the league’s top offence, expect an entertaining pace to close out the night. With the league’s best defensive player in the paint, it’s a luxury most teams don’t have.