The NBA’s annual Christmas Day slate will conclude with a matchup between two Western Conference heavyweights. The Denver Nuggets (15-11) will visit the Phoenix Suns (14-13) at 10:30 p.m. ET, with the contest airing on ABC and ESPN.
This will be the second of four matchups between the Nuggets and Suns this season, with the first occurring on Dec. 23. It will be the first played in Phoenix, where Mike Budenholzer’s squad has posted a 9-6 record on the year.
Who will prevail in the last of a five-game Christmas special? Let’s take a look at the latest odds for Nuggets vs Suns, as well as my prediction for this Western Conference showdown.
Nuggets vs Suns Christmas Game Odds
NBA odds used for these best bets are current as of Monday, Dec. 23, at 10 a.m. ET and were found at DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Nuggets (-125) • Suns (+105)
- Spread: Nuggets -1.5 (-112) • Suns +1.5 (-108)
- Total Points: Over 234 (-112) • Under 234 (-108)
Nuggets vs Suns Christmas Game Prediction
Nuggets 122, Suns 116
It’s hard not to side with the Nuggets here. Despite enduring something of a slump over the last month, this team’s offensive firepower is virtually unmatched around the league, and the bulk of that comes down to the otherworldly production of MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokić.
The 29-year-old is reaching new heights in 2024-25, averaging career-highs in points (30.9), steals (1.7), and three-point percentage (50.5%) across 37.5 minutes per game. He’s logged 11 triple-doubles through his first 23 appearances, and earlier this month, he popped for a career-high 56 points against the Wizards.
Despite getting strong production from Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Phoenix’s offense has often not done enough to overcome its lowly defense, which ranks 26th league-wide. The Suns have also been particularly bad against opposing bigs, allowing 25.2 points per game to centers — the second-most in the NBA, per FantasyPros.
Phoenix may have a more varied arsenal of scoring options, but Jokić is far and away the best player in this matchup, and the Suns don’t have an answer for him. I expect Jokić to put some of his usual magic on display and help the Nuggets pick up a key victory on Christmas Day.
Nuggets vs Suns Christmas Game Bets
Nuggets -1.5 (-112) @ Suns
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Neither Denver nor Phoenix has been particularly great against the spread this season, posting a combined record of 19-33-1. However, while the Nuggets are only slightly below average, the Suns are a league-worst 9-18 ATS, including 4-11 in home games.
I’m also keeping an eye on Booker’s status here. He’s missed the last two games with a groin injury, and if he ends up being ruled out ahead of this contest, the spread will swing even further in Denver’s favor.
If you intend to back the Nuggets in this matchup, this is the best time to do it. Get in on Denver to cover as 1.5-point favorites and make this your NBA bet of the day.
Nuggets @ Suns: Over 234 Points (-112)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
I’ve already touched on how underwhelming this Phoenix defense has been this season, but admittedly, Denver’s hasn’t been much better. The Nuggets rank 26th in points allowed per game, but they’ve been able to overcome that by scoring at the third-highest rate in the NBA (119.9).
It should come as no surprise, then, that Denver goes Over more than any other team in the league, going 18-8 through games played on Dec. 22. The Suns aren’t far behind at 16-11, putting both teams inside the top five.
I’ll feel more comfortable about taking the Over if Booker ends up playing, but even if he ends up being scratched from the lineup, we could easily see this total surpass 234 points.
