Today's picks: Warriors-Suns best bet, plus more Christmas Day NFL and NBA picks for Saturday

Host Alan Bell is joined by top sports betting experts Mike McClure and R.J. White on the Early Edge podcast, powered by SportsLine. Get highlighted plays for the NFL and NBA Christmas Day games for Saturday, Dec. 25, and you can stream the show live every morning on the SportsLine YouTube page.

Mike is excited about some NFL football on what would be a typically heavy college basketball day. All three experts are just happy to have some bets to consider after a Christmas eve with no prominent live sports.

Mike delves into the COVID surge that has been affecting the sports landscape for weeks. Indianapolis will be missing two key offensive linemen for the Colts vs. Cardinals matchup at 8:15 p.m. ET That is going to impact their ability to run the ball with NFL top rusher Jonathan Taylor, as well as their protection of QB Carson Wentz. Mike also expects more COVID news to crop up that will affect more NFL Week 16 games.

R.J. also is keeping an eye on the pandemic's effect on the lines. He is surprised that the Browns vs. Packers line didn't budge after QB Baker Mayfield came off the COVID-19/reserve list. The 4:25 p.m. ET game on Christmas Day still has Green Bay favored by 7.5 points.   

Allan delivers the SportsLine Play of the Day, going Under 215.5 in the Warriors vs. Suns matchup at 5 p.m. ET. Golden State is not at full strength, with Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole both out because of COVID. Both teams have prolific offenses, but the defenses are equally capable, and the play is Under with the Warriors short-handed.   

Mike jumps in with an NBA player prop, going Over 29.5 total points (+100) for LeBron James in the Lakers vs. Nets at 8 p.m. You can find this at even-money or -105 at most sportsbooks.

"The Lakers are in the middle of a four-game losing streak, however it's their third consecutive day at home," McClure says. James needs 13 points to pass Kobe Bryant for the all-time lead for points scored on Christmas Day, and McClure expects LeBron to try to get it done quickly. "I like the aggression early," he says, and expects 25 to 20 shots from James.

R.J. is going with an NFL Week 16 teaser and a couple of props on the Christmas Day games.

He is teasing Green Bay -1.5 against the Browns at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and Kansas City -2.5 at home against the Steelers at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. 

White thinks the COVID issues are abating for the Chiefs and doesn't anticipate any more. Cleveland also is getting healthy, but "even when not dealing with COVID, the Cleveland offense just isn't good enough to hang with Green Bay," R.J. says. 

"Monday was the fifth time in seven games Cleveland failed to score more than 14 points, so I don't really care who the quarterback is, they just don't score points." He expects Green Bay to need 21 to 24 points to cover the normal spread. 

R.J. also is taking a Best Bet on Arizona -2, expecting this to be a "come-down spot" for the Colts. "Kyler (Murray) didn't look quite right last week, but this is a great matchup," White says. 

He also is taking Cardinals TE Zach Ertz Over 4.5 receptions (+100) and Colts QB Carson Wentz's longest completion Under 34.5 yards (-120).

Allan also has a prop, taking Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Over 262.5 yards . "If there is any situation or scenario with a quarterback that can put up passing yards in a game, even if they're up, I think it's this one with Aaron Rodgers," Allan says. 

Green Bay is averaging 7.8 yards per pass attempt, 6.2 after the catch. Cleveland is allowing a lot of passing yards on slants, which is Packers WR Davante Adams' specialty.       

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