Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks, Picks, Odds, Preview, and Prediction, Thursday, December 25, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s the best day for NBA action, Christmas. Read our Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks prediction along with along with other NBA Picks. The Knicks are one of the best teams in the East with their 20-9 record. Madison Square Garden will be bumping as New York boasts one of the best home records with a 14-2 record. New York has also won eight of their last 10 games. Cleveland is having a disappointing year as they sit at 17-14. But, the Cavaliers have won back-to-back games for the first time since late November. These two teams will meet with tip-off set for 12 P.M. EST.
Cleveland winners of back-to-back games
Cleveland is 17-14 overall this season. The Cavaliers are ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference this season. They are 7.5 games back of the Pistons for first place. The Cavaliers are also two games back of the third place in Boston. Cleveland is 6-6, when they have played on the road. After losing eight of their last 11 games, Cleveland has won back-to-back games coming into Christmas.
In their last game, the Cavaliers defeated New Orleans 141-118 at home on Tuesday, Dec. 23. It was one of the most dominant wins of the season for Cleveland, as their was just one lead change. Cleveland shot 53% from the field and 41% from behind the 3-point line. The Cavaliers out scored New Orleans 72-54 in the lane, which was key. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
Mitchell leads the team with 30.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. Evan Mobley is the top rebounder with 9.3 boards per game.
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Cleveland is the ninth ranked offensive efficient team along with being the 15th ranked defensive efficient team. The Cavaliers are the 17th ranked rebounding team.
Cleveland is averaging 120 points per game, which ranks sixth best. They are hitting 46.3% from the field, placing them 21st. The Cavaliers are also the 21st ranked 3-point shooting team, making 34.8% from behind the arc.
On defense, Cleveland is allowing 117.5 points per game, which ranks 20th. They are the 14th ranked defensive team, allowing 46.8% from the field. The Cavaliers are allowing 37.3% from behind the 3-point line, placing them fifth worst in the sport.
Cleveland is 9-22 against the spread this season. The Cavaliers are 4-8 against the spread when they have played on the road. Cleveland is 5-11 against the spread after securing the win. Cleveland is also 1-1 against the spread as a road underdog. The under is 16-15 when Cleveland has played this season. The over is 8-4 when they have played on the road. The under is 10-6 coming off a win this season.
Injury report
- Lonzo Ball (knee management), probable
- Larry Nance Jr. (calf), out
- Max Strus (foot), out
- Evan Mobley (calf), out
Knicks utilizing home court advantage this season
New York is 20-9 overall this season. The Knicks are in second-place in the Eastern Conference. They are 3.5 games back of the Pistons for first place in the conference. The Knicks are 14-2 when they have played played at home. After winning seven straight, the Knicks have lost two of their last three games.
In their last game, the Knicks lost 115-104 to Minnesota on the road on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Minnesota went on a 10-0 run midway through the third quarter to take the lead, which eventually led to the team's win. The Knicks were without star guard Jalen Brunson as the Knicks shot 41% from the field and 37% from behind the arc. The Knicks turned the ball over 19 times in the defeat, too. Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 40 points on 14-for-24 shooting.
Brunson leads the team with 29.1 points and 6.6 assists per game. Towns is grabbing a team-high 11.7 rebounds per game, too.
The Knicks are the second-best offensive efficiency team along with being the 12th ranked defensive efficiency team. New York ranks third-best in rebounding, too.
New York is averaging 120.1 points per game, which ranks fifth-best. They are the ninth-ranked shooting team, making 47.9% from the field. The Knicks are the fourth-ranked shooting team, making 37.9% from behind the 3-point line.
On defense, the Knicks are allowing 112.9 points per game, which ranks seventh. They are also ranked seventh in defensive field goal percentage surrendering 46% from the field. The Knicks are giving up 36.5% from behind the 3-point line, which ranks 19th.
The Knicks are 18-12 against the spread this season. New York is 13-3 against the spread when they have played at home. They are 17-9 against the spread when favorited. The over is 16-14 when the Knicks have played this season. The over is 9-7 when the Knicks have played at home.
Key injuries
- Jalen Brunson (ankle), questionable
- OG Anunoby (ankle), questionable
- Guerschon Yabusele (illness), questionable
- Miles McBride (ankle), out
- Landry Shamet (shoulder), out
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Picks
Cavaliers vs Knicks Spread Pick
- New York Knicks -6 (5 Units)
Consistency has been a killer for Cleveland all season. The team has struggled to string together wins. They enter this game winning back-to-back games for the first time in over a month. This was a team with high hopes, but injuries have been catastrophic and defensive lapses continue. The Knicks should come away with an easy win as Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby are expected to return to the lineup. Madison Square Garden has become a fortress for the Knicks with their 14-2 home record. The Knicks rank second-best in offensive efficiency and that will be enough to consistently get buckets against a Cavaliers team ranked 15th on defense. The Knicks are 13-3 against the spread at home. The Cavaliers are 4-8 against the spread when they have played on the road. They are also 5-11 against the spread after securing the win.
Take the Knicks to cover.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Over/Under Pick
- Over 239.5 (5 units)
The biggest key to this game hitting the over is the pace of the game. The Cavaliers will want to run up and down the floor as they are the NBA’s sixth fastest team. Cleveland's poor defensive record will also allow the Knicks to fire shots away at will. Cleveland is the 21st ranked 3-point defensive team while the Knicks rank second in offensive efficiency. The over is 9-7 when the Knicks have played at home. The over is 8-4 when they have played on the road.
Take the over on Thursday.
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