On Christmas Day, the NBA will feature a notable Game 3 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks, spotlighting a blend of past legends and rising stars. Despite the Warriors’ long-standing presence in the holiday lineup, their underwhelming season start has sparked doubts about their continued dominance. Meanwhile, the Mavericks, though not spectacular, are steadily improving, with young talent Cooper Flagg showing promising development that could signal more future Christmas appearances. This game holds significant implications for the play-in tournament and standings, given both teams’ low positions in the Western Conference.
The game is scheduled for 5 PM ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco and will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN, with a live stream option available through Fubo. Current betting odds favor the Warriors by 8 points, with an over/under of 227.5, according to FanDuel.
In terms of predictions and betting insight, December has seen the Warriors win only two games by more than eight points, and internal tensions surfaced recently with Draymond Green’s disappearance post a confrontation with Coach Steve Kerr. Stephen Curry remains the only reliable scorer, casting doubt on the Warriors being favored by such a margin against the Mavericks, who have been performing comparably well. A recommended pick is the Mavericks with the +8 spread.
An interesting highlight is Cooper Flagg, who has already scored 68 points this season—nearly half of the rookie record set by Brandon Jennings. Flagg’s comfort in high-pressure situations sets the stage for a memorable performance against Curry on Christmas, making it exciting for fans and a promising moment for the young player. The best bet here is Flagg scoring over 19.5 points.
Fan Take: This game is a pivotal moment showing a changing of the guard in the NBA, as emerging young stars like Cooper Flagg begin to share the spotlight with established icons like Stephen Curry. Basketball fans should watch closely, as these matchups could define the future dynamics of the league and offer thrilling action during the holiday season.
