NBA Christmas Games 2020: TV Schedule, Odds, Predictions Against The Spread

Five NBA games are scheduled for Christmas Day, and just about all of the league’s top teams will be playing. The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks are looking for their first victories of the season. The Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Boston Celtics will be in action after impressive season openers.

Here are picks against the spread for every game on the 2020 NBA Christmas schedule, as well as the latest odds. Betting lines are courtesy of OddsShark.

New Orleans Pelicans (+5) at Miami Heat (12 p.m. EST, ESPN)

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were terrific in the Pelicans’ first game, combining to score 39 points on 61% shooting. They can give Miami trouble as the Heat ease their way into the season following a run to the NBA Finals in the bubble just a couple of months ago.

Prediction ATS: New Orleans

Golden State Warriors (+9.5) at Milwaukee Bucks (2:30 p.m. EST, ABC)

The Warriors are a terrible defensive team without Draymond Green, and they’ll have no answers for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee’s offense. Unless Stephen Curry shoots absolutely lights out, Golden State isn’t deep enough to compete with the elite teams.

Prediction ATS: Milwaukee

Brooklyn Nets (-2.5) at Boston Celtics (5 p.m. EST, ABC)

This might end up being the best game on the Christmas schedule. Neither team will be able to stop the opposing offense, but the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving has a slight edge over Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Prediction ATS: Brooklyn

Dallas Mavericks (+6) at Los Angeles Lakers (8:30 p.m. EST, ABC)

The Lakers sure looked like a team coming off the shortest offseason ever in their season-opening loss to the Clippers. Luka Doncic could put on a show and give Dallas a chance to pull off the upset.

Prediction ATS: Dallas

Los Angeles Clippers (-1) at Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. EST, ESPN)

Nikola Jokic averaged 26 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the final games of Denver’s playoff series against Los Angeles. Expect another strong performance from the big man Friday night.

Prediction ATS: Denver