Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals to Share Christmas Day Spotlight in 2022.
This marks just the third occasion since moving to the desert in 1988 that wagering on the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns will take center stage on Christmas Day.
The Suns will compete against Denver and the Cardinals will play against Tampa Bay during the 2022 games, making it the second year in a row for a Christmas Day doubleheader in the Valley.
Last Christmas Day, the Suns’ 12-year winning streak came to an end with a 116-107 loss to Steph Curry and the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.
The Cardinals faced difficulties as well, losing to Indianapolis 22-16, capping off a disappointing Christmas Day for the city’s sports teams.
Both teams will make a comeback to the grand holiday stage in a year, with Arizona sports betting sites anticipated to be busy.
The betting line for the Cardinals and Suns Christmas games has not been established by BetMGM Sportsbook Arizona. The Suns, who are currently tied for third in NBA title odds at +700, hold the top spot in the NBA’s Pacific Division with a record of 16-12. However, they are on a five-game losing streak heading into their upcoming matchup against the L.A. Clippers on Thursday.
The 4-9 Cardinals are feeling less festive this holiday season after Kyler Murray’s season-ending knee injury on Monday. Their Super Bowl odds have now plummeted to the lowest at +100000.
Before using AZ betting apps this holiday season, take a look at some of the best Christmas memories from the Suns and Cardinals.
The past five games the Suns played on Christmas Day.
Before placing your bets, be sure to visit yengols.com to find the newest Arizona sports betting promotions.
Top performers from the Suns and Cardinals on Christmas Day
To celebrate the holiday season, let’s reminisce on three unforgettable Christmas Day matchups for the Suns and Cardinals.
2010: The Cardinals secure their only victory on Christmas Day
12 years ago, a varied group of Cardinals unexpectedly walked into State Farm Stadium and shocked fans by beating the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day.
Despite their mediocre 5-10 records in 2010, the Cardinals and the Cowboys displayed resilience in their game in Glendale, embodying head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s coaching style.
Arizona took control of the game in typical Cardinals fashion, scoring two touchdowns within the first seven minutes and building a commanding 21-3 lead by the midway point of the second quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, Dallas closed the gap on Arizona’s lead to 21-20 thanks to a field goal from David Buehler and a 24-yard touchdown run by Marion Barber.
Arizona was lucky to have Jay Feely’s dependable kicking skills on their side, as his 48-yard field goal in the final seconds secured their 27-26 victory.
The Cardinals’ only victory on Christmas Day served as a redemption for their previous losses to the Cowboys in 1995 (37-13) and Colts in 2021.
2009: Suns Shellack Clippers
The Suns had a commanding victory on Christmas Day against the L.A. Clippers in their most recent game. Phoenix won 124-93 at home with center Amare Stoudamire leading the charge, scoring 29 points and pulling down nine rebounds.
Stoudamire, Richardson, and Nash spearheaded the Suns’ fast-paced offense in a dominant 48-minute win against the Clippers. Together, they scored 32 points and dished out 12 assists.
Four Phoenix Suns players came off the bench to score double digits, led by forward Jared Dudley who scored 18 points in just 26 minutes. Their impressive performance led the team to its second-largest Christmas Day victory ever, only behind the 1973 win over the L.A. Lakers with a final score of 135-100.
In 1993, the Suns’ winning streak leads them to victory against the Rockets.
In the 1993-94 season, Paul Westphal’s Suns team faced disappointment as they narrowly missed out on a chance to make a back-to-back appearance in the NBA Finals.
On Christmas Day, Charles Barkley and his team brought hope to the Suns by defeating the eventual NBA champion Houston Rockets 111-91, marking their first holiday game victory in over a decade.
Westphal’s team controlled the game from beginning to end, propelled by a 37-point second quarter, resulting in a win over Hakeem Olajuwon’s team. Barkley was the top scorer with 38 points, with Kevin Johnson contributing 36 points.
The Rockets sought vengeance and successfully obtained it by triumphing over the Suns in a seven-game series during the Western Conference Semifinals, clinching a 104-94 win on the road in Game 7.
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Author
For more than seven years, Peterson Christopher has been reporting on sports and sports betting in Arizona. He has held positions at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News prior to his current role as the primary writer at yengols.com.
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