NBA Christmas Day Opening Odds: Lakers Favored in LeBron's Return; Knicks, Celtics Open as Favorites

Breaking down the opening odds for each of the five NBA games scheduled for Christmas Day in the 2026-27 season.

The Los Angeles Lakers and guard Luka Doncic are favored on Christmas Day. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The NBA has officially released the Christmas Day schedule for the 2026-27 season, giving fans more than four months to prepare for what should be an epic day of basketball. 

Christmas Day will begin with an NBA Finals rematch between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs – the second time in three years that these teams have squared off on Christmas. 

That matchup is followed by two new-look Eastern Conference teams, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat take on Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. These teams met in the playoffs multiple times earlier in the decade, and there’s a chance they are back in that spot now that Giannis is in Miami. 

Arguably the most intriguing matchup on Christmas will be LeBron James’ return to Los Angeles, as the Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers in the third matchup. Philly added James and Jaylen Brown this offseason, yet oddsmakers think Luka Doncic and the Lakers are the better team based on the opening odds (more on  that later in this piece). 

The night ends with a pair of Western Conference showdowns (Oklahoma City vs. Minnesota and Denver vs. Golden State) where Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic will all be in action. 

NBA Christmas Day 2026 on ABC and ESPN:

- Spurs @ Knicks
- Heat @ Celtics
- 76ers @ Lakers
- Thunder @ Timberwolves
- Nuggets @ Warriors

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2026

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Oddsmakers have already priced four of these games, setting the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics and Thunder as favorites. With Golden State and Denver still yet to make some moves this offseason, that game is off the board at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Spurs +1.5 (-115)
• Knicks -1.5 (-105)

Moneyline

• Spurs: -105
• Knicks: -115

Total

• 229.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Heat +5.5 (-118)
• Celtics -5.5 (-102)

Moneyline

• Heat: +154
• Celtics: -185

Total

• 228.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• 76ers +1.5 (-110)
• Lakers -1.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• 76ers: +100
• Lakers: -120

Total

• 234.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Thunder -4.5 (-102)
• Timberwolves +4.5 (-118)

Moneyline

• Thunder: -162
• Timberwolves: +136

Total

• 231.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Nuggets: TBA
• Warriors: TBA

Moneyline

• Nuggets: TBA
• Warriors: TBA

Total

• TBA

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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