3 Best NBA Christmas Day Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Bucks

Christmas in Milwaukee just got a little merrier following the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially cleared the NBA's COVID-19 protocol.

The Greek Freak should be set to return in Game 2 of the NBA's Christmas Day 5-game slate; as tip-off gets underway from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee just after 2:30 pm ET. The defending champion Bucks host the Boston Celtics as 7-point home favorites.

According to the latest splits from WynnBET Sportsbook, 53.5% of the bets are on Milwaukee -7, along with 71.2% of the betting handle. The total has also moved its way up from 219.5 to 221.

After opening as a 5-point favorite, the Knicks have been bet up to -7 over at WynnBET Sportsbook, with the total plummeting down from 213 to 207.

BetSided's Donnavan Smoot shared his his favorite bet for today's Eastern Conference showdown, plus our BetSided team's collective "Best Bets" for Christmas Day are available for you as well.

In addition to plays on the teams and total, here are a few prop bets to consider available at WynnBET Sportsbook.

3 Best Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Bucks

• Giannis Antetokounmpo UNDER 24.5 Points (-120)
• Jrue Holiday OVER 4.5 Rebounds (-130)
• Jayson Tatum to Record Double-Double (+150)

Giannis Antetokounmpo UNDER 24.5 Points (-120)

Even though Giannis has officially been cleared, I still have concerns about going over on guys immediately returning from COVID protocol. He hasn't played since December 13th, missing five games in the process.

One of those games Giannis failed to clear the points prop number was in Boston; his final game before going into protocol. He finished with just 20 points in 33:35 minutes.

I believe Giannis is more than capable of dominating in his return to action, but with it being Christmas Day and the Bucks' superstar likely already getting an inflated number already, I'll take my chances and go low instead.

Jrue Holiday OVER 4.5 Rebounds (-130)

The Bucks are a top-four rebounding team this season and Holiday is always filling up the stat sheet when he's on the floor. He's cleared this rebounding prop in two of his last three games and with Giannis likely not playing his full rotation of minutes, Holiday will be asked to continue the uptick in minutes and put himself in position to be near the basket when being matched up on Jaylen Brown or switched on Jayson Tatum.

Getting Giannis back has already caused Holiday's point prop to drop drastically, meaning he'll have to find other ways on the court to remain active and involved. I don't like to bet many overs on Christmas Day, but I'll make an exception for Holiday's prop.

Jayson Tatum to Record Double-Double (+150)

Double double prop bets always can be a bit of a trap, but I think the value this number of +150 odds (bet $100 to win $150) presents this afternoon.

Tatum has been at 9 rebounds the last three games despite extended minutes and I don't think Boston will hesitate to keep him out late when he goes toe-to-toe vs. Giannis. What makes this game ideal for him to finally get into double digits for rebounds is Milwaukee's pace (top 9) as well as a lack of minutes for Giannis coming out of protocol. Tatum should have a decisive size advantage whenever Giannis is off the floor and should get himself to 10.

Tatum hasn't hit a double double since December 8th, but with more minutes and more opportunities today, I think he can get there and take advantage of very favorable odds.