NBA Basketball
2025-12-25 - Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Thursday 25th December 2025 - Scheduled 5pm
10pm (British Time)
Preview
The NBA may have an issue with the NFL in the years ahead with the traditional broadcasting spot open to this League on Christmas Day being challenged by the biggest professional sport in North America.
Despite the NFL having three games set to be played on Christmas Day, the NBA have not been intimidated and they have stuck to the plan- that means five NBA games played back to back to back across the nation from 12pm Eastern Time through to the last game tipping off at 10:30pm Eastern Time.
Some of the top names in the League are going to be in action, but this third game looks one that is perhaps going to be the one that offers the best betting action.
The Golden State Warriors (15-15) look to be back on track after back to back home wins, including a blowout of the Orlando Magic earlier this week.
However, that is a game that has been overshadowed by a big disagreement between Draymond Green and Head Coach Steve Kerr which resulted in Green walking off the court. He returned to support his team-mates, but Kerr did not allow Draymond Green back into the game and that is an issue that could see him miss this Christmas Day game too.
It is not what the Warriors need as they look to get back into contention in the loaded Western Conference, while behind the scenes they have to be thinking about trades. Some are suggesting that Steph Curry needs to leave if he wants to win another NBA Championship, but much more likely is players will be brought in to try and secure that ring for him here in Golden State.
The Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks (12-19) and they are considerable favourites, but the road team have to be respected.
Dallas have won five of the last eight games and Cooper Flagg is beginning to settle in as a NBA player with some big outings of late. The depth of the team is not as strong as others around, but Dallas have to be happy with what they are seeing and they will be looking to push the team forward and back towards 0.500 for the season.
Much of this game will depend on how intense the Mavericks are on the Defensive side of the court- in recent games they have really challenged three point shooters and being able to slow down the Warriors, even a little bit, would be seen as a big win for the team.
This will allow the Dallas Mavericks to showcase their size and ability to win the Rebounding battle, while the team will be looking to punish the Warriors inside the paint at the other end of the court. Dallas are something different to most teams in the NBA and that means not being overly reliant on the three point shot when they do have the ball in hand.
Keeping up with the Golden State Warriors will be impossible without showing strong Defensive resilience, which was the reason the team gave when trading away Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis last season. At least the Mavericks have shown that of late and they can win the battle on the boards to make this another competitive game in which they are involved.
Since being blown out by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks have won four and lost three games, but none of the defeats have been by more than 7 points.
Of course the Warriors are capable of pulling away from any opponent with their shooting ability, but Dallas may make use of the points that are being given to them.
Prediction
Take the points with the road underdog.
The Pick :
Golden State Warriors 118-112 Dallas Mavericks
