The Spurs have taken the NBA by storm since their Cup final loss to the Knicks earlier this month. Mitch Johnson’s men are the most in-form team in the league with eight consecutive games, and they own the distinction of handing the seemingly unplayable Thunder three losses this campaign.
They will open their three-game homestand against the lowly Jazz on Saturday night, and the NBA 2025 odds expect the Spurs to record their ninth straight victory before hosting the Cavaliers and Knicks on Monday and Wednesday.
Speaking of the Knicks, they will visit the Hawks tomorrow, as they’re gunning for their third win in their last four. Moreover, the Mavericks, Nuggets, Suns, Pacers, Bucks, Cavaliers, and Nets will also visit the Kings, Magic, Pelicans, Heat, Bulls, Rockets, and Timberwolves, respectively.
The post-Christmas games keep on coming, as SBOTOP handpicks the Top 3 matches from tomorrow’s nine-game schedule.
Denver Nuggets @ Orlando Magic
This year’s Christmas Day schedule was filled with NBA 2025 highlights, primarily because of the Timberwolves-Nuggets game, where Nikola Jokic posted video game numbers in the 142-138 overtime home win. The three-time league MVP had 56 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists, two blocks, and four three-pointers on 15-for-21 shooting from the field and 22-for-23 shooting from the free throw line, making him the first player in NBA history to drop a 50-point triple-double on Christmas.
Jokic’s supporting cast also did their part, as Jamal Murray, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Spencer Jones added 35, 19, and 12 points, respectively. They must continue to bring their A-game against the Magic, as they will remain without long-term absentees Cameron Johnson (knee), Christian Braun (ankle), and Aaron Gordon (hamstring).
The Magic will aim to bounce back from their 120-105 loss against the Hornets on Friday night. Anthony Black had 24 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and four three-pointers on 8-for-17 shooting in the losing effort. Wendell Carter Jr., Desmond Bane, Jase Richardson, and Paolo Banchero added 16, 15, 14, and 13 points.
Orlando are also dealing with injuries, as Franz Wagner (ankle), Moe Wagner (knee), Goga Bitadze (knee), and Jalen Suggs (hip) are all in the medical room.
Betting tip – Denver Nuggets Asian Handicap -5.50 @ 2.00
New York Knicks @ Atlanta Hawks
Since beating the Spurs in the NBA Cup final, the Knicks have alternated wins and losses in their last five games. On Christmas Day, they secured a 126-124 comeback win against the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson powered New York to victory by contributing 34 points, four assists, two steals, and six three-pointers on 10-for-25 shooting from the field and 8-for-10 shooting from the free throw line. Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek chipped in 25 and 16 points off the bench, and Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 15, 12, and 11 points.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, they will be without Hart on Saturday, as he tweaked his ankle against Cleveland. Meanwhile, Miles McBride, who missed the last seven games due to an ankle injury, could return tomorrow.
The Hawks are desperate to end their five-game skid. They lost 126-111 to the Heat on Friday night, despite having a relatively complete roster, save for Kristaps Porzingis (illness).
Trae Young and Jalen Johnson combined for 54 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and Vit Krejci added 15, 12, and 11 points, but it wasn’t enough. After tomorrow, they’ll face the Thunder, which is another difficult contest.
Betting tip – New York Knicks Asian Handicap -6.00 @ 1.97
Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs
The Jazz ended their four-game losing streak in style by defeating the East-leading Pistons on Friday night. Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen combined for 61 points, with the former hitting the game-winning floater with 2.1 seconds left. Brice Sensabaugh, Jusuf Nurkic, and Kevin Love added 20, 16, and 14 points.
The only downside to their win is losing Ace Bailey to a hip injury. If the fifth overall pick won’t play tomorrow, there will be more minutes for Isaiah Collier and Walter Clayton Jr.
The Spurs are fresh from a 117-102 win over the Thunder on Thursday night. De’Aaron Fox paced San Antonio with 29 points, four rebounds, and three assists on 12-for-19 shooting. Stephon Castle, Victor Wembanyama, Harrison Barnes, and Dylan Harper chipped in 19, 19, 15, and 12 points.
Head coach Mitch Johnson made the bold move of having Wembanyama come off the bench since the Frenchman recovered from a left calf strain. Expect the Spurs to stick with the plan because it’s working.
Betting tip – San Antonio Spurs Asian Handicap -17.00 @ 2.01
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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