CLEVELAND CAVALIERS @ NEW YORK KNICKS
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Odds: CLE: $2.90 / NY: $1.44
TEAM TRENDS
- Underdogs have won each of the last 4 Cavaliers–Knicks games at Madison Square Garden
- 7 of the last 8 Cavaliers–Knicks games at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER
- Knicks have won the first half in each of their last 8 home games vs the Cavaliers
- Knicks have failed to cover the spread in 9 of their last 11 Christmas Day games
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| CLE | 17 | 14 | 11-8 | 6-6 |
| NY | 20 | 9 | 14-2 | 5-7 |
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| CLE | 120.0 | 117.5 | +2.5 | 237.5 |
| NY | 120.1 | 112.9 | +7.2 | 233.0 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| CLE | UNDER | NY |
| +5.5 | 239.5 | 126-124 |
The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the New York Knicks on Thursday afternoon in a key Eastern Conference matchup. New York sits second in the East and comes in favored after winning the first meeting 119–111 back on October 22.
The Knicks have been strong against conference opponents, averaging just over 120 points per game while holding teams below 113. Cleveland has also been productive offensively, ranking among the league leaders in made three-pointers, with Donovan Mitchell leading the way from deep.
New York holds a shooting edge, converting at a higher rate than what Cleveland typically allows, while the Cavaliers score more per game than the Knicks usually give up. Recent form slightly favors New York, which has gone 7–3 over its last 10 games, compared to Cleveland’s 5–5 stretch.
Injury concerns loom for both sides. The Knicks have several key rotation players listed day to day, including Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, while Cleveland remains without Evan Mobley and Max Strus.
PICK – UNDER 239.5 TOTAL POINTS
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SAN ANTONIO SPURS @ OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Odds: SA: $3.80 / OKC: $1.28
TEAM TRENDS
- Spurs have won the 1st quarter in 7 of their last 8 games as underdogs
- Thunder have won 17 straight home games at Paycom Center
- 6 of the Spurs’ last 7 games vs Western opponents have gone OVER
- Thunder have won both halves in each of their last 4 home games
- Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last 6 games following a loss
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| SA | 22 | 7 | 11-2 | 10-5 |
| OKC | 26 | 4 | 14-0 | 12-4 |
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| SA | 120.4 | 113.6 | +6.8 | 234.0 |
| OKC | 121.9 | 107.0 | +14.9 | 228.9 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| SA | OVER | SA |
| +9.5 | 234.5 | 117-102 |
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday afternoon in a matchup between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City has been dominant in conference play, averaging nearly 122 points per game while winning by almost 15 points on average. San Antonio has also been strong, outscoring opponents by close to seven points per game against the West.
This will be the third meeting of the season, with the Spurs taking the most recent matchup on December 24 behind a big performance from Keldon Johnson, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder in scoring. Recent form slightly favors San Antonio, which has gone 9–1 over its last 10 games, while Oklahoma City is 7–3 over the same stretch.
Injury concerns remain for the Thunder, who have several rotation players listed day to day, while the Spurs enter at full strength.
PICK – SAN ANTONIO +9.5
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DALLAS MAVERICKS @ GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Odds: DAL: $3.50 / GS: $1.32
TEAM TRENDS
- Warriors have lost the 1st quarter in 7 of their last 8 home games
- Home team has won each of the Mavericks’ last 9 games
- 5 of the Warriors’ last 6 Christmas Day home games have gone UNDER
- Warriors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 7 games vs Western opponents
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| DAL | 12 | 19 | 9-9 | 3-10 |
| GS | 15 | 15 | 9-4 | 6-11 |
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| DAL | 113.6 | 117.4 | -3.8 | 231.0 |
| GS | 114.2 | 112.3 | +1.9 | 226.5 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| GSW | OVER | GSW |
| -7.5 | 220.5 | 126-116 |
The Dallas Mavericks visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in a Western Conference matchup at Chase Center. Golden State sits eighth in the West and comes in as the favorite, while Dallas is trying to climb back into the playoff picture.
The Warriors have been solid in conference play and are coming off an even 5–5 stretch over their last 10 games. Dallas has fared better recently at 6–4 over the same span but continues to struggle against Western Conference opponents overall. Ball security remains a key factor for the Mavericks, who average nearly 15 turnovers per game.
Golden State holds a slight defensive edge, while Dallas has been the more efficient shooting team this season.
Injuries are a major storyline, as the Warriors will be without Al Horford and could be missing Seth Curry, while Dallas continues to deal with several absences, including Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II, with multiple others listed day to day.
PICK – OVER 220.5 TOTAL POINTS
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HOUSTON ROCKETS @ LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Odds: HOU: $1.73 / LAL: $2.15
TEAM TRENDS
- Lakers have won each of their last 8 home games vs the Rockets
- Lakers’ last 11 home games have gone OVER
- Lakers have lost the 1st quarter in each of their last 5 games
- Lakers have covered the spread in 7 of their last 8 games vs winning-record Rockets teams
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| HOU | 17 | 10 | 8-2 | 9-8 |
| LAL | 19 | 9 | 7-4 | 12-5 |
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| HOU | 120.5 | 112.7 | +7.8 | 233.2 |
| LAL | 117.7 | 117.4 | +0.3 | 235.1 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| HOU | OVER | HOU |
| -2.5 | 230.5 | 119-96 |
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night in a Western Conference showdown. Houston enters as a slight road favorite, with both teams positioned near the top half of the conference standings.
Interior scoring is a major storyline, as both sides rely heavily on production in the paint. The Lakers have been solid against Western Conference opponents but have been inconsistent recently, splitting their last 10 games. Houston has mirrored that form while maintaining one of the more efficient offenses in the conference.
Recent trends suggest a competitive matchup, with Houston holding an edge on the glass and Los Angeles looking to capitalize from beyond the arc.
Injury concerns remain for both teams, as the Lakers have multiple key players listed day to day, while the Rockets continue to operate without Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith.
PICK – HOUSTON -2.5
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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES @ DENVER NUGGETS
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Odds: MIN: $2.15 / DEN: $1.73
TEAM TRENDS
- Timberwolves have won 5 of their last 6 games as road underdogs vs the Nuggets
- Timberwolves’ last 5 games have gone UNDER
- Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 7 Christmas Day games
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| MIN | 20 | 10 | 12-5 | 8-5 |
| DEN | 21 | 8 | 9-5 | 12-3 |
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| MIN | 118.5 | 113.5 | +5.0 | 232.0 |
| DEN | 125.2 | 116.5 | +8.7 | 241.7 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| DEN | OVER | DEN |
| -2.5 | 239.5 | 142-138 (OT) |
The Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night in a key Western Conference matchup. Denver sits third in the West and enters as the home favorite, while Minnesota is close behind in fifth.
The Nuggets have been efficient offensively all season, ranking among the league leaders in assists and field-goal percentage, with Nikola Jokic continuing to anchor the attack. Minnesota has been competitive within the division but has struggled at times against teams above .500.
This will be the third meeting of the season, with Denver taking the most recent matchup in November behind a strong performance from Jokic. Recent form favors both sides, as the Nuggets are 7–3 over their last 10 games, while the Timberwolves have gone 8–2.
PICK – DENVER -2.5
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