Christmas Day basketball is a tradition like no other. The Philadelphia 76ers will face off against the New York Knicks to start the holiday, followed by 4 more games. Let’s focus on the best NBA player prop bets for this evening. For more best NBA player props, visit the OddsShopper tool.
NBA Christmas Prop Bets
76ers-Knicks NBA Player Props
Joel Embiid Prop: OVER 30.5 Points -108 (Caesars)
This number is simply too low for the leading scorer in the NBA. Embiid is averaging 33 points per game and is coming off a 44-point game against the Los Angeles Clippers in a comeback victory. The 76ers are playing their best basketball of the season. They’re on a 7 game-win streak and will soon have the luxury of getting young star Tyrese Maxey back in the lineup. The 76ers face off against the 18-15 New York Knicks under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden where Embiid will look to put on a show in front of the NBA world.
The Knicks are one of the best teams against opposing centers. They allow the fewest points per game to the position but have yet to play Embiid, Nikola Jokic, or Anthony Davis; the 3 best scoring centers in the league. The last time Embiid played against the Knicks in New York, he scored 37 points and that was with Maxey in the lineup. Embiid is over this line in 8 of 12 games without Maxey and in 14 of 23 this season.
Lakers-Mavericks NBA Player Props
Lonnie Walker Prop: OVER 1.5 Three-Pointers -115 (DraftKings)
Lonnie Walker has done an exceptional job in his role for the Los Angeles Lakers. in his 1st season with the Lakers, he’s shooting nearly 40% from deep and has made at least 3 three-pointers on the road in 10 of 14 games.
Superstar big man Anthony Davis will again miss this Christmas Day showdown. In the 7 games without Davis, Walker is over this line in 6 straight and is attempting .7 more threes without him. Dallas plays at a slow pace and expects to be a close game with a battle between LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Look for Walker to play a big role and continue to shoot the ball as he’s coming off a game where he attempted a season-high 9 three-pointers.
Bucks-Celtics NBA Player Props
Marcus Smart Prop: OVER 9.5 Rebounds + Assists -135 (DraftKings)
Marcus Smart returned to the lineup on Friday and didn’t miss a beat. He played 38 minutes in a fast-paced game, dissed out 10 assists, and pulled down 7 rebounds. Today, the Celtics will host the Milwaukee Bucks which is becoming one of the best rivalries in basketball. These two teams went 7 games in the playoffs last season which Smart played extremely well. He missed Game 2 but surpassed this line in the 3 of 6 games and is over in 19 of 29 this season.
Jrue Holiday should be all over Jaylen Brown after a near 40-point game. Smart had 19 assists opportunities on Friday and will be trusted to run the offense against a top 5 defensive team in the Bucks.
Bucks-Celtics NBA Player Props
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Prop: UNDER 16.5 Pts/Reb/Ast -121 (Caesars)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on his 3rd team in 3 seasons. He’s been a pheromonal piece for the Denver Nuggets that needed a lethal shooter and competent defender on the perimeter. Pope is shooting at the 3rd best rate in the league from deep at 46% in 30 games this season. But, against a Suns team that is welcoming back Devin Booker to the lineup and allows the 4th fewest three-pointers per game, this is a good spot to fade the 10-year veteran.
Pope is arguably the 5th scoring option in the Nugget lineup with MVP Nikola Jokic, star point guard Jamal Murray, sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr., and high-flier Aaron Gordan. In 25 games played with Murray, Pope sees his usage rate drop from 18% to 13.5%. He also sees four fewer field goal attempts and almost a whole assist.
Pope could very well draw the matchup of Devin Booker which will draw him away from the basket. This game will be a battle between the stars where Pope will not be relied on heavily on the offensive end unless he’s wide open. Pope is under this line in 18 of 30 games this season and in 16 of 25 games with Murray running the show for the Nuggets.
