A Holiday Showcase: NBA Stars Shine as NFL Playoff Drama Unfolds on Christmas Day 2025

Christmas Day 2025 delivered a blockbuster slate of sports drama from tip-off to final whistle. In the NBA, the holiday tradition was front and center with star-studded matchups across five games highlighted by a historic Nikola Jokić performance, his 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist triple-double lifted the Denver Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, and thrilling wins from teams like the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets against the Lakers.

Over in the NFL, Week 17’s Christmas tripleheader saw the Denver Broncos hold off the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 to maintain their AFC top seed, the Dallas Cowboys edge the Washington Commanders 30-23 with Dak Prescott and KaVontae Turpin making big plays, and the Minnesota Vikings defeat the Detroit Lions 23-10, eliminating Detroit from playoff contention.

Top Predictions

• Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders: Predicted Score: 30.9-28.2, Actual Score: 30-23.
• Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks: Predicted Score: 120-115.4, Actual Score: 126-124.
• Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Predicted Score: 113.5-112.2, Actual Score: 119-96.

Today’s Upset Alerts

• Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors: Spread +7.5
• Utah Jazz vs. Detroit Pistons: Spread +9.5
• Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Spread +2.5
• Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks: Spread -4.5
• Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Spread +1.5

Games to Watch Against the Spread

• Washington Wizards: ATS Edge -17.6, Spread +7.5, Projected Score: 115.2-105.1.
• Utah Jazz: ATS Edge -11.6, Spread +9.5, Projected Score: 114.7-112.6.
• Portland Trail Blazers: ATS Edge -11.4, Spread +2.5, Projected Score: 112.2-103.3.
• Miami Heat: ATS Edge +9.2, Spread -4.5, Projected Score: 114.6-109.9.
• Chicago Bulls: ATS Edge -7.1, Spread +1.5, Projected Score: 113.6-108.

Over/Under Watchlist

• Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks: Projected Total 224.5 vs. Line 246.5.
• Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Projected Total 221.6 vs. Line 239.5.
• Utah Jazz vs. Detroit Pistons: Projected Total 227.3 vs. Line 244.5.

Time to heat things up! Check out today's matchups, like Wizards vs. Raptors, and let GameSim help you simulate your bets!