Merry Christmas if you celebrate the big day and to everyone else, Happy Holidays!

Christmas day has always been a day to spend time with family, open presents and eat delicious food.

If the holiday becomes a little overwhelming or you just want to watch some great matchups, the NBA Christmas Day has you covered.

With 5 games taking place all throughout the day, you won’t go without on the hardwood and it all starts in Madison Square Garden with the Knicks welcoming the Sixers.

Embiid Shines in Philly

Well, it wouldn’t be NBA Christmas without the stars. So let’s start with Embiid.

Embiid is coming off of a game against the Clippers where he dropped 44 points and 7 rebounds in a big Sixers win.

Before that, he hadn’t gone over 30 points in 2 straight games so Embiid getting back on track in a big way is great news.

James Harden also lit up the stat sheet last game, recording a Triple Double, with 21 assists.

I am going to cover Harden later and his crazy success against the Knicks so keep reading for that.

Knicks to Right the Ship

The Knicks are currently sitting 18-15 and are 6th place right behind the Sixers in the Eastern conference.

The Knicks had won 8 games in a row before dropping 2 straight to the Raptors and the Bulls.

Even in 2 straight losses, Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and especailly RJ Barrett have been sensational.

RJ Barrett in the loss:

44 PTS
7 REB
14-20 FG
6-6 3P

First Knick with 40 points and multiple 3s without missing in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/7lDth2UCqR

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 24, 2022

Barrett has been playing some fantastic basketball for the past 2 weeks, hitting his points line in 5 of his last 7.

In his matchup against two very capable teams, neck and neck in the East, who will come out on top?

Odds:

FanDuel

Caesars

BetRivers

BetMGM

Spread

• 76ers -2.5 (-106)
• Knicks +2.5 (-114)

Moneyline

• 76ers (-134)
• Knicks (+114)

Total

• Over 2117.5 (-112)
• Under 217.5 (106)

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Prediction

Christmas Day games are for the stars to shine the brightest, and while I think this does kick of the Christmas slate with a competitive, hard-fought battle, I feel like Embiid and Harden are going to have their way and get the job done.

The Sixers have won 7 in a row and I think they can make it 8 in what should be a very entertaining game on Christmas Day.

Best Bet

76ers -2.5 (-106)

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Props of the Game

James Harden o 37.5 PRA (-120)

This is by far my favorite prop in this game and maybe that I have ever come across.

#nba Christmas Day

🎁Harden o37.5 PRA (-120)🎁

I couldn’t believe the numbers here but they are amazing…

Harden has hit his PRA in:

🎄20 STRAIGHT matchups with the Knicks (besides 1 game where he played 4 mins)

🎄4 straight on Christmas Day

🎄 5/L7 pic.twitter.com/3wuQQmnI7O

— Sweatpants Jesus (@Sweatpantsjesus) December 25, 2022

You read that right. James Harden has hit his PRA in 20 straight games against the Knicks.

20 straight games.

The two superstars will shine bright and kick your Christmas off with a great game and Harden will play a big part in that.

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Have a wonderful Christmas Day and I hope you spend the day doing whatever makes you happy.

Enjoy this game and all the other NBA games on today, it should be a great day to kick back and watch a lot of great matchups on one of the biggest days in the NBA season.

Thanks for stopping by! Follow me on Twitter @SweatpantsJesus and @BN_Content for more props, bets, sports news and overall vibes.

Also, I host a Twitter Spaces every Thursday evening and Sunday morning to go over the slate of games and talk about my best bets!

You can also tune in LIVE on Twitch every Thursday morning and Sunday morning for MORNING COFFEE! A live betting show to go over the slate of games for the day and find the best play and props of the day!

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I want to hear your best plays as well and discuss the winning moves! Come hang with me and find the value! Look forward to seeing you on Twitch or in Twitter Spaces! Thanks for stopping by and as always, Peace and Love.