The NBA’s premier day of the regular season kicks off with Spurs vs Knicks. A slate of five games throughout Christmas Day brings us the league’s most polarizing young star, Victor Wembanyama, facing a Knicks team at Madison Square Garden aiming for an NBA championship this season.
Let’s go through the betting odds and predictions for the kick-off game to a full day of basketball on Christmas.
Spurs vs Knicks Christmas Game Odds
NBA odds used for these best bets are current as of Monday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. ET and were found at DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Spurs (+320) • Knicks (-410)
- Spread: Spurs +9 (-105) • Knicks -9 (-115)
- Total Points: Over 226 (-110) • Under 226 (-110)
Spurs vs Knicks Christmas Game Prediction
Knicks 115, Spurs 102
After making a major trade to acquire superstar Karl-Anthony Towns just days before the start of training camp, the Knicks endured a bit of a slow start.
However, New York is finally hitting its stride, winning three in a row and eight of its last 10 games heading into play on Monday, Dec. 23. San Antonio is 5-5 over its last 10 games.
Expect the Knicks, who are now used to this seemingly annual noon slot, to cruise here behind a combination of their seventh-ranked offense and sixth-ranked defense.
Spurs vs Knicks Christmas Game Best Bets
Knicks -9 (-115)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
San Antonio enters this game with a 2-5 ATS record as a road underdog. Factor in the travel and the Christmas “hangover” for the early start, and I like the always raucous MSG Christmas Day crowd to rattle this young Spurs team early.
Towns has put himself firmly in the early MVP conversation, so you can expect him to battle with Wembanyama all day. To me, that matchup favors KAT’s combination of size and speed.
The Knicks could look to push the ball and take Wembanyama out of his half-court comfortability as much as possible. The tight-knit Knicks crew flourishes in that setting, especially with the three Villanova guys sharing the court with KAT as a trailer.
Back the hosts to win and cover this spread as one of your best NBA bets today.
Under 226 Total Points (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
The Knicks should get their share of this number, but San Antonio will struggle to keep up.
Considering that the Knicks are a top-10 defensive team and Wembanyama is the best rim protector in the NBA, that’s a recipe to kill an Over.
