Happy Holidays! The NBA took Christmas Eve off, but there is a lot of action on Christmas Day for us to get into. There are five games on the slate, running sequentially, so you can watch and follow the run all day long. All of the games are marquee matchups, as well, with many of the biggest names and best teams on display.
Things tip off with Victor Wembanyama leading the San Antonio Spurs into Madison Square Garden to face off with Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. This is followed by a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals, with the Minnesota Timberwolves headed to Dallas to face the Mavericks. Joel Embiid, fresh off his controversial ejection Monday, will get to rejoin his 76ers teammates and take on the defending champion Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Like he’s done every year for the past two decades, LeBron James will play on Christmas Day, this time against his long-time rival Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Finally, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic will look to continue his remarkable season as the Denver Nuggets face Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
Let’s take a closer look at the matchups and find some fantasy hoops streamers and betting angles of interest.
Wednesday’s fantasy stream team
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors (available in 81.8% of ESPN Leagues)
Podziemski has had some ups and downs with his scoring but is an all-around producer that contributes consistently on defense and from behind the arc. His offense has been working this week as he has averaged 12.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.3 SPG and 1.7 3PG in 23.7 MPG off the bench.
Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs (58.8% available)
Sochan should be rostered and started in most leagues at this point. He sat out the month of November injured, but since returning he has hit his stride. Sochan has averaged 15.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 3.8 APG over his past five games since returning to the starting lineup, while shooting 59.6% from the field and 77.8% from the line.
Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks (61.0% available)
Lively had a down game in a blowout on Monday but has otherwise played very well. He has averaged just under a double-double (9.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG) over his past seven games while notching a combined 2.5 blocks and steals per game.
Best bets for Christmas Day
Victor Wembanyama 4-plus total blocks (+105)
Wembanyama has been scorching on defense recently. He has 29 blocked shots over his past four games, with at least four blocks in each game. He has blocked 18 shots in two games this week, increasing his season average to 4.0 BPG. This prop at plus-money is good value.
Timberwolves-Mavericks under 221.5 points (-110)
The Timberwolves have both picked up their defense and struggled with their offense recently, pushing most of their games under in recent weeks. Outside of a loss to Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks last week, the Timberwolves and their opponents have combined to score under 221.5 points in 10 of their past 11 games.
LeBron James over 22.5 total points (-120)
After struggling with his scoring late in November, LeBron has picked it up this month. James has averaged 27.5 PPG over his past six games, going back to Dec. 4, with at least 28 points scored in four of them. In a marquee matchup against his old rival the Warriors, and with his 40th birthday next week, James is ready to have a big game. Also, Golden State has allowed the sixth-most points to opposing power forwards (24.0 PPG).
Bradley Beal over 20.5 total points (-110)
Devin Booker has missed the last two games with a groin injury and is questionable to play Wednesday. In Booker’s absence, Beal has stepped up his scoring, dropping 26 points against the Pistons last Saturday and 23 points in a blowout loss to the Nuggets Monday. If Booker sits again, Beal could be in a sweet spot against a favorable opponent.
Projections and injury reports
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