Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NFL, NBA on Christmas Day

By - Finn December 25, 2024 Comments (0) 9 Mins Read

Oct 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick with forward LeBron James (23) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Christmas Day is a day to spend time with family and appreciate what we have, but also a day to bet on sports so we can seek out what Santa didn’t leave under the tree. Luckily, there’s a busy day of NFL and NBA action to get you there.

We shipped every sportsbook aisle to find our best bets for the day:

Christmas Day Best Bets: NBA

LeBron James, OVER 22.5 Points at -110 (DraftKings)

LeBron is not the player that fans have come to know and love over the years, but he is still one of the best in the game. More importantly, he shows up for the big games—like the NBA on Christmas Day. He’s played in 18 over the years (10-8) and has averaged 26.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.

At his age (39), the end is near. It is reasonable to think he’d want to show out if this is or could be his last Christmas Day game. He’s averaging 25.3 points per game this month. Against a Golden State team giving up 110 points per game, I like his chances of going OVER 22.5 points.

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Victor Wembanyama, UNDER 4.5 Steals at -130 (DraftKings)

Crazy, right? Betting on a guy who had 29 blocks over the last four games not to get at least—it’s nuts. But those lofty numbers came against teams that rank among the worst in the league in blocks allowed. The Knicks are one of the better teams in that regard, giving up 4.7 per game.

Last season, in two games vs. the Knicks, Wembanyama got two. I’d expect him to do better on Christmas, but he’s not going to abuse one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Take the UNDER.

If you’re confident he will not get more than three, FanDuel has his block total set at 3.5, with the UNDER paying -102.

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Christmas Day Best Bets: NFL

Najee Harris, UNDER 43.5 Rushing Yards at -113 (FanDuel)

The Steelers played two of the better defenses in the NFL the last couple of weeks, and Harris struggled, gaining 14 (vs. Eagles) and 42 yards (vs. Ravens). His lack of production had nothing to do with Jaylen Warren playing better; the Steelers run game simply got shut down.

That could very well happen again against Kansas City’s No. 3 run defense, especially if Harris gets fewer than ten carries again (six and nine the last two weeks). However, the one thing that could help is the return of George Pickens to the lineup.

If he does, and Russell Wilson can find him deep a couple of times early on, the Chiefs’ defense may open up a little, creating lanes for Harris to hit. But I’m not counting on that—take the UNDER.

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Joe Mixon, UNDER 66.5 Rushing Yards at -113 (FanDuel)

The Texans play their best when they can establish the run, something they have struggled to do in recent weeks. It probably will not happen against the Ravens’ No. 1 run defense, either. Houston has a better chance of moving the ball with the passing game.

Mixon has gone over 66.5 yards twice in his last six games. Don’t bet on him doing so vs. the Ravens.