Even with the NFL stepping on the NBA's toes this holiday season, Christmas Day has been and will continue to be a time to sit by the television and watch some basketball with loved ones, and possibly even cash in on some bets while you're at it.
Playing off the league's storied history of Christmas Day games, here's a look at some of the key betting trends you should be aware of ahead of the five-game slate on December 25, 2024.
2023 NBA Christmas Day Results
Game
Score
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
129-122 Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat
119-113 Heat
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
126-115 Celtics
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets
120-114 Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns
128-114 Mavericks
It was in 2007-08 when the league last didn't schedule exactly five games on December 25.
It was in 2018-19 when it last occurred that more road teams won their games across the five Christmas Day matchups.
This year's Christmas Day schedule features two pairings that have never occurred before on December 25: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks.
NBA All-Time Christmas Day Win-Loss Records
Team
Record
Total Games
Last Game
New York Knicks
24-32
56
129-122 W vs. Bucks (2023)
Los Angeles Lakers
24-26
50
126-115 L vs. Celtics (2023)
Boston Celtics
17-20
37
126-115 W vs. Lakers (2023)
Philadelphia 76ers
19-15
34
119-113 L vs. Heat (2023)
Golden State Warriors
15-18
33
120-114 L vs. Nuggets (2023)
Detroit Pistons
10-22
32
85-70 W vs. Spurs (2005)
Sacramento Kings
18-11
29
111-103 L vs. Mavericks (2003)
Washington Wizards
16-11
27
111-103 W vs. Celtics (2017)
Chicago Bulls
13-8
21
119-100 L vs. Spurs (2016)
Phoenix Suns
12-9
21
128-114 L vs. Mavericks (2023)
The Miami Heat own the best active winning percentage of teams to have competed on Christmas Day at .857 (12-2 SU).
The Heat are a perfect 9-0 on Christmas Day under current head coach Erik Spoelstra.
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers are tied for the most wins on Christmas Day at 24, but that can also be explained by the teams having competed the most on the holiday, as well.
Since 1995, the home team has won on Christmas Day with an overall record of 63-43 SU (59.4 percent).
NBA All-Time Christmas Day Scorers
Player
Points
Games
LeBron James
476
18
Kobe Bryant
395
16
Oscar Robertson
377
12
Kevin Durant
315
11
Dwyane Wade
314
13
James Harden
273
10
Shaquille O'Neal
272
13
Russell Westbrook
271
12
Dolph Schayes
239
13
Walt Bellamy
237
9
Bernard King holds the Christmas Day record for the most points scored in a game with 60 against the New Jersey Nets in 1984.
Only King, Wilt Chamberlain (59 in 1961), Rick Barry (50 in 1966), and Luka Doncic (50 in 2023) have ever scored 50 or more points in a game on Christmas Day.
Tracy McGrady holds the Christmas Day record for the highest career scoring average on the holiday at 43.3 points, having scored at least 30 points in each of his three appearances.
NBA Christmas Day Spread Results since 2019
Year
Spread (Home Teams)
Biggest Spread (Favorites)
2023
2-3
-7.5, Denver Nuggets (vs. Warriors)
2022
3-2
-7.5, Dallas Mavericks (vs. Lakers)
2021
1-4
-13.5, Utah Jazz (vs. Mavericks)
2020
2-3
-10.5, Milwaukee Bucks (vs. Warriors)
2019
2-3
-8.5, Denver Nuggets (vs. Pelicans)
Dating back to 1995, the home teams on Christmas Day have successfully covered the spread with a 54-50-2 record (51.9 percent rate).
The largest spread in favor of a home team during that time was 15 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Washington Wizards in 2008, which the visitors covered in a 93-89 loss.
The largest spread painting a home team as an underdog was 12 points for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, which the Lakers covered in a 94-84 loss.
NBA Christmas Day Total Results Since 2019
Year
OVER/UNDER Records
Largest O/U
Result
2023
3-2
243 (Suns vs. Mavericks)
UNDER (242)
2022
4-1
233 (Warriors vs. Grizzlies)
UNDER (232)
2021
4-1
222 (Lakers vs. Nets)
OVER (237)
2020
3-2
234 (Bucks vs. Warriors)
OVER (237)
2019
2-3
227 (Warriors vs. Rockets)
UNDER (220)
The four highest total props since 1995 were all established last year, with the record being 243 total points between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.
The lowest total prop since 1995 was a game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons in 2004, with the two sides reaching an OVER on the 172-point combined score in a 98-93 slugfest.
