New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction & Picks - NBA
USA - NBA
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by Erik Gibbs | in NBA Picks
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to renew their Eastern Conference rivalry in a high-stakes Christmas Day matinee at Madison Square Garden. Entering this holiday showdown, the Knicks have established themselves as one of the premier forces in the league with a stellar 20-9 record. Under the leadership of head coach Mike Brown, New York has transitioned into a high-octane offensive juggernaut, currently ranking fifth in the league in scoring. While they are coming off a hard-fought 115-104 loss to the Timberwolves on December 23, the Knicks have been remarkably consistent, winning seven of their last ten contests and maintaining a dominant 14-2 record on their home floor.
The Cavaliers travel to Manhattan looking to find their footing after a turbulent stretch that has seen them slide to a 17-14 record. Cleveland has struggled with consistency recently, particularly on the defensive end, and they currently hold a disappointing 10-21 record against the spread this season. Despite their ability to score—averaging 119 points per game—the Cavaliers have found it difficult to close out games against elite competition. They are desperate for a signature win to climb back into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference standings, but a road trip to the "World's Most Famous Arena" represents a daunting task for a squad that is just .500 away from home.
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New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Form
Table
| Teams | % | P | W | L | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6
|
0.646 | 82 | 53 | 29 | |
|
8
|
0.634 | 82 | 52 | 30 | 1 |
New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Dec 23, 2025 - NBA
Dec 21, 2025 - NBA
Dec 19, 2025 - NBA
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Dec 16, 2025 - NBA
Dec 13, 2025 - NBA
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
Dec 21, 2025 - NBA
Dec 19, 2025 - NBA
Dec 16, 2025 - NBA
Dec 7, 2025 - NBA
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Dec 3, 2025 - NBA
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Dec 23, 2025 - NBA
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3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Dec 23, 2025 - NBA
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Dec 12, 2025 - NBA
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Dec 23, 2025 - NBA
Dec 22, 2025 - NBA
Dec 19, 2025 - NBA
Dec 14, 2025 - NBA
Dec 6, 2025 - NBA
Dec 5, 2025 - NBA
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Dec 17, 2025 - NBA
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Dec 1, 2025 - NBA
Nov 28, 2025 - NBA
Nov 24, 2025 - NBA
Nov 12, 2025 - NBA
New York Knicks against Cleveland Cavaliers : Head to Head (H2H)
33 %
67 %
Oct 22, 2025 - NBA
Apr 11, 2025 - NBA
Apr 2, 2025 - NBA
Feb 21, 2025 - NBA
Oct 28, 2024 - NBA
Mar 3, 2024 - NBA
Players list
J. Hart
J. Brunson
K. Towns
O. Anunoby
M. Bridges
D. Garland
D. Mitchell
S. Merrill
Substitutes
J. Clarkson
T. Kolek
T. Evbuomwan
M. Diawara
P. Dadiet
G. Yabusele
C. Porter
L. Ball
T. Proctor
E. Mobley
J. Tyson
N. Tomlin
New York Knicks - Cleveland Cavaliers Key Points
- The Over is 0-8 in the Cavaliers’ last 8 games vs. the Knicks after a home win
- The Over is 0-6 in the Knicks’ last 6 games as favorites vs. the Cavaliers
- The Knicks are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games after a loss
- The Cavaliers are 1-7 in their 8 Christmas Day road game
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Our New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
Player performance over the last two weeks has been headlined by the sensational play of the Knicks' Jalen Brunson, who was recently named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Brunson has been an MVP candidate, averaging 29.1 points per game and delivering a massive 47-point performance against the Heat just days ago. His backcourt partner, Karl-Anthony Towns, remains a double-double threat, though the Knicks are currently monitoring a minor ankle injury for Brunson that kept him out of their last game; however, he is expected to suit up for the Christmas spotlight. New York is also navigating day-to-day injuries for defensive stalwarts OG Anunoby and Miles McBride, though both are trending toward playing.
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be led by Donovan Mitchell, who is currently fourth in the NBA in scoring at 30.6 points per game. Mitchell has been carrying a heavy burden over the past 14 days, especially with the Cavaliers missing star forward Evan Mobley, who remains sidelined with a significant calf strain. Without Mobley’s interior presence, Jarrett Allen has shouldered the rebounding load, but the Cavs' defense has noticeably leaked points in the paint. From a betting perspective, the Knicks enter as 6-point favorites, backed by an incredible 13-3 record against the spread at home. Given Cleveland's defensive absences and New York's efficiency at the Garden, the Knicks hold a clear upper hand to win and cover. Our prediction for New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Under 238.5 points.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
