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Christmas Day has turned into a full-blown sports marathon. What used to be a handful of showcase NBA games is now a coast-to-coast slate that runs from lunchtime to late night, loaded with NFL and NBA matchups. The NBA still treats Dec. 25 as its biggest regular-season stage, while the NFL has leaned into the holiday with meaningful games that land in the heart of the playoff race.
We have you covered with everything you need to know in our Christmas watching and sports betting guide, including the betting lines and which players and trends matter for every Christmas Day game in 2025.
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NBA games on Christmas Day
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
12 p.m. EST | Madison Square Garden | ABC/ESPN
Line: Knicks -5.5 | Total: 236.5
The NBA starts in New York, a city that has become almost automatic for Christmas Day. Cleveland arrives with one of the league’s more dependable offenses, averaging well over 118 points per game. Much of that runs through Donovan Mitchell, who is scoring 30.7 points per night and rarely comes off the floor when games tighten.
The Knicks lean heavily on Jalen Brunson, who averages 29.1 points and 6.6 assists, especially at home, where his usage climbs. Coming off an NBA Cup championship, the Knicks aim to carry that momentum into a big win behind Brunson and All-Star front-court mate Karl-Anthony Towns.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
2:30 p.m. EST | Paycom Center | ABC/ESPN
Line: Thunder -10.5 | Total: 233.5
This game reflects where the league is headed. Oklahoma City continues to grow into a Western Conference force behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who enters Christmas averaging 32.5 points per game while carrying a massive offensive load.
San Antonio’s rebuild remains centered on Victor Wembanyama, who is already producing 24.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. Afternoon Christmas games like this tend to feature a quicker pace and more transition opportunities, especially when younger rosters are involved.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors
5 p.m. EST | Chase Center | ABC/ESPN
Line: Warriors -7.5 | Total: 226.5
The late-afternoon slot brings together two teams that rarely struggle to create offense on a national stage. Golden State still revolves around perimeter shooting and movement, with Stephen Curry averaging 28.8 points and launching 3-pointers at one of the highest rates in the league.
Dallas counters with size and spacing, leaning on Anthony Davis, who is putting up 19.9 points and 11.2 rebounds, while his rookie teammate Cooper Flagg is a budding star building his Rookie of the Year campaign. This window often produces momentum swings and extended scoring runs that keep sports betting interest alive well beyond the opening quarter.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
8 p.m. EST | Crypto.com Arena | ABC/ESPN
Line: Rockets -2.5 | Total:230.5
Los Angeles slides into its usual Christmas night role against a Rockets team that prefers physical basketball. Houston ranks among the better rebounding groups in the league, led by Alperen Sengun, who averages 23.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. The Lakers lean heavily on Luka Doncic’s ability to control games offensively; he carries averages of 34.1 points and 8.8 assists.
Night games on Christmas often feature tighter rotations, a key factor for anyone looking into sports betting markets involving star usage and player props. With the added intrigue of Kevin Durant and LeBron James going head-to-head, this matchup is a rare holiday treat.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets
10:30 p.m. EST | Ball Arena | ABC/ESPN
Line: Nuggets -4.5 | Total:236.5
The NBA slate wraps up in Denver, where altitude and fatigue tend to show late. Minnesota leans on athleticism and defensive pressure, with Anthony Edwards averaging 28.3 points per game as the focal point. Denver remains one of the league’s most efficient teams thanks to Nikola Jokic, who enters Christmas averaging 29.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists. This battle could come down to which star can carry their team in the final minutes.
NFL games on Christmas Day (Week 17)
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
1 p.m. EST | Northwest Stadium | Netflix
Line: Cowboys -5.5 | Total:50.5
The NFL opens Christmas with a familiar NFC East matchup. Dallas enters averaging more than 26 points per game behind Dak Prescott, who has thrown for 4,175 yards and 28 touchdowns. Washington hosts on a short week, which often narrows gaps in divisional games. With both teams out of the playoff hunt, look for younger players to get opportunities and potential for breakout performances.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
4:30 p.m. EST | U.S. Bank Stadium | Netflix
Line: Lions -6.0 | Total: 44.5
Detroit heads indoors with one of the league’s most efficient offenses. Jared Goff has already thrown for 4,036 yards and 32 touchdowns, while Jahmyr Gibbs adds balance with 1,102 rushing yards. Minnesota’s defense benefits from crowd noise and familiarity, especially against division opponents. Keep an eye on this line, as the availability of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy could shift the odds in either direction.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
8:15 p.m. EST | Arrowhead Stadium | Prime Video
Line: Broncos -12.5 | Total:37.5
Christmas night closes at Arrowhead Stadium, one of the most challenging road environments in football. Denver arrives with a defense ranked among the league’s best in yards allowed, while rookie quarterback Bo Nix has thrown for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Kansas City has leaned more heavily on the ground game due to multiple quarterback injuries, with Kareem Hunt leading the backfield. Late kickoff times, cold conditions, and season wear often lead to lower scoring in this final window, a trend frequently discussed in sports betting circles leading up to kickoff.
Ultimate holiday tip-off: Why Dec. 25 matters
Christmas Day 2025 offers nonstop NBA and NFL action from early afternoon through late night. Every game benefits from national attention, heavier betting volume, and the quirks that come with holiday scheduling.
Knowing who’s playing, how the lines are set, and the motivation of teams and players will factor heavily into who wins. While the NBA is often criticized for lackluster effort in the regular season, Christmas Day games are different—players treat them like playoff matchups.
