3 min read

NBA Christmas Games: Thursday’s Schedule, Preview & Odds (12/25)

Justin Carlucci

Justin Carlucci

Last updated: December 25, 2025

NBA Christmas Preview: Schedule, Odds, Preview (12/25)

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.

Best DFS Apps in All States

Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in MD, MI, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)
Restrictions apply. See sleeper.com/match for details. 18+ (19 in AL & NE; 21 in MA & VA). First-time depositors only. $25 minimum. 100% match up to $100. Play Responsibly. Call/text 1-800-426-2537 for help.
Draftkings Pick6
Play $5, Get $50 in Pick6 Credits
No Promo Code Needed
Play $5, Get $50 in Pick6 Credits
No Promo Code Needed
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ (19+ AL/NE, 21+ AZ/MA/VA). Valid only where Pick6 operates, see dkng.co/pick6states. Void in NY, ONT, and where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first Pick Set to receive max. $50 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Picks that expire in 14 days (336 hours). Ends 10/13/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Terms: pick6.draftkings.com/promos. Sponsored by DraftKings.

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

NBA LIVE ODDS

Filters:
Player
Anthony Black
PG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Cam Spencer
SG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Cedric Coward
SG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Desmond Bane
SG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Franz Wagner
SF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Goga Bitadze
C ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- - - - - - -
Ja Morant
PG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Jaylen Wells
SF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Jock Landale
C ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- - - - - - - - -
Moritz Wagner
C ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- - - -
Noah Penda
SF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Paolo Banchero
PF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Santi Aldama
PF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Tristan da Silva
PF ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Tyus Jones
PG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- - - - -
Vince Williams Jr.
SG ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- - - - -
Wendell Carter Jr.
C ORL @ MEM
Today 12:00 PM ET
- -
Alperen Sengün
C NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Amen Thompson
SG NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Ayo Dosunmu
PG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Cam Thomas
SG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Coby White
SG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Danny Wolf
C BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- - -
Day'Ron Sharpe
C BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Derik Queen
C NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Dorian Finney-Smith
PF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- - - - -
Egor Demin
PG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Isaac Okoro
SF BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Jabari Smith Jr.
PF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Jalen Smith
PF BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Jeremiah Fears
PG NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Jordan Poole
PG NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Kevin Durant
PF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Matas Buzelis
SF BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Nicolas Claxton
C BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Nikola Vučević
C BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Noah Clowney
PF BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Nolan Traoré
PG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- - - - -
Reed Sheppard
PG NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Saddiq Bey
PF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Steven Adams
C NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Tari Eason
SF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Terance Mann
PG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Tre Jones
PG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Trey Murphy III
SF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Tyrese Martin
SG BKN @ CHI
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Yves Missi
C NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Zion Williamson
PF NO @ HOU
Today 7:00 PM ET
- -
Aaron Gordon
PF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Brandon Miller
SF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Bruce Brown
SG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Christian Braun
SG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- - -
Collin Sexton
PG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Jamal Murray
PG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Kon Knueppel
SG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
LaMelo Ball
PG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Miles Bridges
SF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Moussa Diabaté
PF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Peyton Watson
SF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- - -
Sion James
SG CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- - - -
Spencer Jones
PF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- - - - - - -
Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
Zeke Nnaji
C CHA @ DEN
Today 8:00 PM ET
- -
DeMar DeRozan
SF POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Dennis Schröder
PG POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Domantas Sabonis
C POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Donovan Clingan
C POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Dylan Cardwell
C POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- - - - - - -
Jerami Grant
PF POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Jrue Holiday
PG POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Maxime Raynaud
C POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Precious Achiuwa
PF POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Russell Westbrook
PG POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Shaedon Sharpe
SG POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Toumani Camara
SF POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Zach LaVine
SG POR @ SAC
Today 9:00 PM ET
- -
Brandon Ingram
SF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Collin Murray-Boyles
PF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Deandre Ayton
C TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Gabe Vincent
PG TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- - - - -
Immanuel Quickley
PG TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Jake LaRavia
PF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Jamal Shead
PG TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- - - -
LeBron James
SF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- - - -
Luka Dončić
PG TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Marcus Smart
PG TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- - -
Rui Hachimura
PF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- - -
Sandro Mamukelashvili
PF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Scottie Barnes
SF TOR @ LAL
Today 9:30 PM ET
- -
Showing 5 of 91

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.

Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in MD, MI, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)

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!

Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in MD, MI, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)

the PROP drop NEWSLETTER

Your one-stop resource for all things player props.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!