NBA Christmas Day Betting Preview - Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns

The best game of the NBA Christmas Day schedule could be the matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. 

Phoenix, fresh off of winning the Western Conference last season, will look to defend their home court in what could be a potential preview of the Western Conference Finals. But they will face a stiff challenge from Steph Curry and the Warriors, who are neck and neck with the Suns for the top spot in the West.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have the second-best record in the NBA heading into Christmas Day, sitting just behind the Phoenix Suns in that department. But they have faced some recent difficulties pertaining to the NBA’s health and safety protocols. 

Those could play a massive role in a game where the Warriors will need to be as close to full strength as possible when they play on Christmas Day in Phoenix.

Steph Curry manages to heal most of the wounds that a team deals with when injuries or illnesses pop up. But the Warriors could be without Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins for this matchup with Phoenix. 

Both of those players are valuable on both sides of the floor, especially against a Suns team that has the potential to feast on backups and players who are not on the same level as their starters.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have the best record in the NBA and face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday before taking on the Warriors on Saturday. 

They are one of the few teams in the NBA without any players impacted by COVID-related absences, even if a couple of role players are out injured. 

And with the Suns’ starting lineup in good shape like it was during their run to last season’s NBA Finals, they will be dangerous at home against the Warriors here.

As always, what makes the Suns so dangerous is the balance of their offensive attack. The Suns routinely have six players in double figures in scoring, as they don’t need to rely heavily on any one player in their starting lineup or their bench to win games. 

Against a team like the Warriors, who may be missing some talented players here, that balance can only help them and hurt Golden State.

Keys To The Game

The biggest key to this game for the Warriors will be getting offensive contributions from players who are not Steph Curry. Curry will always get his offensively, but asking him to score 50 points for the Warriors to win this game is too much to ask of anyone, even a player as good as the former MVP. 

The Warriors have to find some sort of balance, even if usual second and third contributors to their scoring efforts are out.

Meanwhile, Phoenix has to take advantage of their starting lineup against the depleted Warriors. 

Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges will be under the spotlight in this game, as their outside shooting can win this game for the Suns or cost them the game. 

While Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton can be relied upon to carry their wait, the other two starters for the Suns will be the X-factor here.