Christmas Day NBA betting odds, matchups
Christmas in August? Sure, why not.
Though the NBA regular season is still a few months away, we were given a summer present in the form of the reported Christmas Day matchups - a five-game, star-studded slate complete with betting odds.
Below are the five games, along with the lines and early betting nuggets for each clash.
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors (-2)
Celtics' 2019 win total: 49.5
Raptors' 2019 win total: 46.5
If the Celtics-Raptors game is the first of the Christmas Day slate, you can guarantee the under money will be rolling in. These holiday games have sailed under the total recently, producing a winning record in 13 of the last 14 years and going 38-21-1 overall during that stretch. The earlier the better for unders, too: The three early games of the slate are on a 27-10-1 run.
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers (-3.5)
Bucks' 2019 win total: 58.5
76ers' 2019 win total: 56.5
Perhaps a glimpse into the potential Eastern Conference finals? Not only are the Bucks and 76ers the two front-runners to win the conference at 5-4 and 6-4, respectively, they own the two highest win totals on the board overall for 2019. All three meetings last season flew over the total, including two that hit the 150-point mark.
New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets (-8.5)
Pelicans' 2019 win total: 39.5
Nuggets' 2019 win total: 52.5
Even the most lopsided matchup in terms of the spread should be a treat. The new-look Pelicans, headlined by Zion Williamson, face off against a Nuggets team that will be right in the thick of the Western Conference race. New Orleans oddly covered all four games against Denver last season, while three of those went under the total.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (PK)
Clippers' 2019 win total: 54.5
Lakers' 2019 win total: 49.5
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George's Clippers meet LeBron James and Anthony Davis' Lakers. Both franchises underwent significant changes over the summer to strengthen the roster, and they currently sit No. 1 and No. 2 to win the NBA title at 7-2 and 4-1, respectively.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (PK)
Rockets' 2019 win total: 54.5
Warriors' 2019 win total: 49.5
Yet another matchup packed with talent. Reunited teammates James Harden and Russell Westbrook head west to take on Steph Curry and the Warriors. Though the Rockets have had a tough time getting past Golden State in the playoffs, they have come through for bettors in the overall head-to-head series, covering seven of the last 10 against the Dubs.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.