2 min read • December 24, 2024
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From a health perspective, this matchup is as evenly balanced as an early-season game could be. The Knicks have experienced some minor bumps and bruises along the way, and Mitchell Robinson has yet to make his season debut. However, for Christmas Day, they are expected to have their full complement of players available.
San Antonio benefits from having a youthful roster, with Chris Paul as the oldest player. Interestingly, Paul is enjoying one of his healthiest seasons in years, averaging 28.3 minutes per game while contributing 9.6 points and 8.4 assists per contest.
The key matchup to watch is the battle between future face of the league Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns. Wembanyama has been dominant in recent games, averaging an impressive 5.2 blocks per game over his last five contests. Meanwhile, Towns has been on a rebounding tear, averaging over 17 boards per game during the same stretch. This intriguing clash of big men presents an opportunity for prop bettors. Given Towns’ tendency to play outside and shoot threes, Wembanyama will likely be drawn away from the paint, reducing his rebound chances. Conversely, Wembanyama’s presence in the paint is expected to limit Towns’ rebounding opportunities. As a result, betting on the under for their rebounds could be a prudent choice.
The Timberwolves had a brief scare on Monday, December 23, when backup center Naz Reid exited the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. However, Reid returned in the third quarter and ended up as Minnesota’s leading scorer with 23 points. With the benefit of the Christmas Day rest, his ankle should be fully recovered for the matchup against the Mavericks.
Dallas has dealt with various minor injuries to their stars, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Dončić, in particular, has been dealing with a heel contusion, knee soreness, and wrist discomfort. He missed the two games before Monday’s win over Portland but struggled from behind the three-point line in his return. Foot injuries often affect shooting mechanics, so bettors might want to consider taking the under on his three-point makes.
The 76ers appear to be overcoming their injury woes, aside from the loss of first-round pick Jared McCain to a torn meniscus. Joel Embiid and Paul George have been back in the lineup with some consistency, leading Philadelphia to win three of their last five games.
Embiid has recently returned from a fractured sinus and has been playing with a mask. While he has performed well, his recent streak of bad luck with injuries makes him a risky player for prop bets. If Embiid plays over 30 minutes, he is likely to hit his overs, but unforeseen issues such as injuries or ejections could limit his minutes.
Paul George has been a regular presence in the lineup, but his production has been underwhelming, averaging just over 15 points per game and getting to the free-throw line only 1.6 times per game. The Celtics, by contrast, have had a relatively healthy season as they defend their NBA Championship. All-Star Jayson Tatum sat out Monday’s game with an undisclosed illness, but this is not expected to impact his availability or production on Christmas Day.
The Lakers suffered a setback on Monday, December 23, when backup point guard D’Angelo Russell exited in the fourth quarter with a thumb injury. It is unclear whether it is his shooting hand, but the team is awaiting test results. The Lakers have also been dealing with injuries to Jared Vanderbilt and Christian Wood, who have yet to play this season. Their stars, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, are managing lingering issues—Davis with plantar fasciitis and LeBron with a foot injury. Despite these challenges, both players have been consistently available and should be ready to play on Christmas.
Golden State’s Draymond Green entered Monday’s game with ankle issues and briefly exited in the third quarter before returning in the fourth. Given the extra rest day on Christmas Eve, Green is expected to be ready for the matchup. Steph Curry has shown no dip in production after an earlier ankle sprain, and his recent shift to more of a playmaking role, facilitated by the addition of Dennis Schröder, has led to an increase in his assist numbers.
Jamal Murray sat out Monday’s game against Phoenix in Denver due to a calf injury but was resting as part of the second leg of a back-to-back. He is expected to play in the rematch on Christmas Day in Phoenix. Murray has remained productive despite the injury, scoring over 20 points in four of his last five games. Overall, Denver is relatively healthy heading into the holiday matchup.
Phoenix, on the other hand, has dealt with significant injury issues among their star trio. Kevin Durant missed several weeks with a calf injury, Bradley Beal has been sidelined with a knee issue, and Devin Booker has missed the last two games due to a groin injury. Durant and Beal have returned to regular minutes, but Booker’s status remains uncertain. Although signs point to Booker returning for the Christmas game, coming back from a groin injury after just two games off might lead to a minutes restriction. This makes Booker’s availability and production a potential concern.
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