The presents are open, the eggnog is flowing, and the NBA Christmas schedule has gifted us a loaded five-game slate that runs from noon until midnight. We’ve got new-look superteams, MVP candidates going head-to-head, and a nightcap in Denver that feels like a Western Conference Finals preview. Let’s unwrap our NBA Christmas preview and see what’s on tap for Thursday, Dec. 25.
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NBA Games Christmas: Schedule, Preview, Odds (12/25)
Here’s a quick overview for Thursday’s 5-game slate! We’re in for a real treat.
Cleveland Cavaliers (17-14) @ New York Knicks (20-9) – 12:00 PM
- Spread: NYK -6.5 (-105) / CLE +6.5 (-115)
- Total: O/U 239.5 (-110/-110)
- Moneyline: CLE +200 / NYK -245
San Antonio Spurs (22-7) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (26-4) – 2:30 PM
- Spread: OKC -8.5 (-118) / SAS +8.5 (-102)
- Total: O/U 235.5 (-110/-110)
- Moneyline: SAS +280 / OKC -355
Dallas Mavericks (12-19) @ Golden State Warriors (15-15) – 5:00 PM
- Spread: GSW -8.5 (EVEN) / DAL +8.5 (-120)
- Total: O/U 228.5 (-115/-105)
- Moneyline: DAL +270 / GSW -340
Houston Rockets (17-10) @ Los Angeles Lakers (19-9) – 8:00 PM
- Spread: HOU -2.5 (-118) / LAL +2.5 (-102)
- Total: O/U 230.5 (-112/-108)
- Moneyline: HOU -155 / LAL +130
Minnesota Timberwolves (20-10) @ Denver Nuggets (21-8) – 10:30 PM
- Spread: DEN -3.5 (-110) / MIN +3.5 (-110)
- Total: O/U 239.5 (-110/-110)
- Moneyline: MIN +140 / DEN -166
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NBA Christmas Schedule: Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC / ESPN
- Spread: Knicks -6
We start the NBA Christmas games at Madison Square Garden with a battle of elite guards. Jalen Brunson (29.1 PPG) has the Knicks humming, and the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has opened up the floor in ways Knicks fans haven’t seen in decades. They host a Cavs team led by Donovan Mitchell (30.6 PPG), who loves playing at MSG.
Mitchell and Brunson are two of the premier scorers in the league. With KAT pulling Cavaliers bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen out of the paint, the lane should be open for driving. Neither team is shy about shooting. I expect fireworks early to wake everyone up.
The Knicks and Cavs have two respectable defenses, but Cleveland is playing at a pace that we haven’t seen from them in many years, ranking in the top third of the league in pace.
NBA Christmas Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC / ESPN
- Spread: Thunder -8.5
This is the rivalry of the next decade featured on the NBA Christmas schedule. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs roll into OKC to face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the West-leading Thunder (26-4). OKC has been a machine at home, and SGA (32.5 PPG) is making a legitimate MVP case.
The Spurs have been hot, winning seven straight coming into the week, but Wemby had a quiet offensive night (12 points) in their last outing on Dec 23. Against this physical Thunder defense (Dort, Holmgren), San Antonio might struggle to keep pace for 48 minutes.
That being said, Stephon Castle seems like he is growing into a star, while lottery pick Dylan Harper is starting to play extremely well. The Spurs are young, deep, and dangerous.
NBA Christmas Games: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
- Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC / ESPN
- Spread: Warriors -2.5
The Mavs are going through a miserable, injury-plagued 2025 campaign. It remains to be seen if Anthony Davis will last past the Feb. trade deadline.
Rookie phenom Cooper Flagg is coming off an unreal game against the Nuggets, where he dropped 33-9-9.
They face a Golden State Warriors team with Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry. Curry is still doing Curry things (28 pts vs Phoenix on Dec. 20), but the Mavs have a massive size advantage inside with Davis.
The Warriors don’t have a great answer for AD. Draymond is an elite defender, but he gives up a lot of height. But as long as Chef Curry is on the court, you can’t count out the Warrios at home.
NBA Christmas Preview: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC / ESPN
- Spread: Lakers +3
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets in primetime, a staple of NBA Christmas games. LeBron James (Probable – Groin) continues to defy Father Time, posting 36 points against the Clippers just a few days ago. But don’t sleep on the Rockets—they acquired Kevin Durant to pair with Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet, making them a legitimate threat.
KD vs. LeBron on Christmas. It never gets old. The Lakers rank 24th in defensive rating, which might be a problem against the Rockets’ skilled offense.
NBA Christmas Schedule: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC / ESPN
- Spread: Nuggets -3.5
We end the NBA Christmas games slate with a potential WCF preview. Nikola Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double (29/12/10) and has the Nuggets rolling. They host Anthony Edwards (30.0 PPG) and the Timberwolves.
Minnesota has struggled a bit against top-tier teams (3-8 vs >.500 records), and playing at altitude in Denver is the toughest ask in the league. Jokic usually dissects the Gobert/Randle frontcourt with ease.
Denver’s Cameron Johnson is on the injury report, and he’s out with a knee issue. Bruce Brown and the Nugget’s depth will have to step up. Jamal Murray just went off vs. the Mavs on Tuesday with 31 points and 14 dimes–he’s playing VERY good basketball right now, reminding the NBA that he is a star.
Check back Thursday for our NBA betting cheat sheet. Looking for more NBA advice? We have you covered all season!
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