NBA Christmas Day trends

Whether you’re a casual fan or hard-core bettor, Christmas Day is the perfect occasion to jump in on NBA action as you gather with family and friends.

To get you in the holiday hoops spirit, here are some key trends to consider and help you bring home some bonus cash during the 72nd edition of NBA Christmas.

Bet the Under

If there is one thing you can count on Christmas Day, it’s that NBA games will go Under more often than not.

Since 2007 the Under has hit in 36 of 57 games (63%).

In 2018 only one contest hit the Over, when the Celtics defeated the 76ers, 121-114 (the total was set at 222). The Thunder-Rockets game ended in a push at 222 points, but the Under went 3-for-5 on the day.

Less scoring in early games

You now know the Under is a fairly safe bet, but it’s safest during the earlier Christmas Day games.

Since 2007 the Under is 8-3 in the noon ET game and 8-3-1 in the 2:30 p.m. time slot. It’s also 8-4 in the 5 p.m. game and 8-3-1 in the 8 p.m. frame, but the late-night 10:30 p.m. matchup has a 4-7 record for the Under.

Fade the defending NBA champion

Dating back to 2008 the defending NBA champ has fared poorly on December 25. From 2008-2011, the reigning title winner lost each year on Christmas Day, but from 2015-2017, the NBA champ went on a three-win streak.

The defending champion is 5-6 straight up in Christmas Day games since 2008 but an abysmal 3-8 against the spread.

Best Christmas Day win percentage

The Miami Heat comes to play on Christmas. The Heat boast a 10-2 record (.833) on December 25 and won last time out against New Orleans in 2015

The Portland Trail Blazers hold the next-best record at 14-4 (.778), while the Jazz are 5-2 (.714) in just seven Xmas appearances.

The Lakers currently sit just above .500 at 23-22 on Christmas.

Worst Christmas Day win percentage

The Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans are the only teams that competed on Christmas Day and never collected a victory. Toronto lost its lone matchup in 2001 at the Knicks, and the Pelicans fell in both of their Christmas Day battles.

Of the franchises that have played at least 20 Christmas Day games, the Knicks, Pistons and Thunder have lost at the highest rate. New York is 22-31 (.415), Detroit is 10-22 (.313) and Oklahoma City is 6-14 (.300).

Bonus fact: The Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies are the only teams that have never participated in NBA Christmas.

Most wins on Christmas Day

The Knicks played in the first Christmas Day game in 1947 and have notched 22 wins on the holiday. The Lakers own one more win at 23 and triumphed in last year’s contest at Golden State, 127-101.

Going back to the 1993-1994 season, Los Angeles is 8-13 straight up and 12-9 ATS in Christmas games. The Under has also hit 13 times in the Lakers' past 21 Christmas Day games.

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Christmas Day will feature five marquee NBA matchups. Find all your NBA Christmas Day betting lines at BetAmerica!