Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Betting Pick & Prediction for 12/25

The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are set for an exciting NBA regular season game. The Cavaliers, with a record of 17-14, will visit the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This game is scheduled for Thursday, December 25, 2025, at 12:00 PM and will be broadcast on ABC.

Both teams are part of the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers, coached by Kenny Atkinson, are currently seventh in the conference. On the other hand, the Knicks, led by Mike Brown, hold the second spot in the conference. The Knicks have a strong home record, which could be a challenge for the visiting Cavaliers.

Cavaliers vs Knicks Game Day Info

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
  • Venue: Madison Square Garden
  • Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Knicks -5.5 (-112), Cavaliers +5.5 (-109), Knicks MoneyLine -211, Cavaliers MoneyLine +177, Over/Under 239.5

Cleveland Cavaliers Team Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers head into their next game after winning two in a row. They defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 141-118 and the Charlotte Hornets 139-132. Donovan Mitchell played a key role, scoring 27 and 30 points in those games.

The Cavaliers are scoring an average of 120 points per game this season, ranking 6th in the league. They shoot a lot, leading the league in field goal attempts per game at 92.8. Despite this, their shooting accuracy is 46.3%, placing them 20th.

Injuries could affect the Cavaliers, with Larry Nance Jr. and Max Strus both out. Evan Mobley is questionable due to a calf strain. The team will look to Mitchell, Garland, and Allen to lead them on the court.

New York Knicks Team Preview

The New York Knicks come into their next game with some momentum from their recent win against the Miami Heat. In that game, they scored 132 points, showing their offensive strength. Jalen Brunson led the team with 47 points, while Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges also contributed well.

The Knicks have a strong offensive game this season. They rank fifth in points per game, scoring 120.1 points on average. Their three-point shooting is also impressive, as they make 14.9 three-pointers per game, ranking fourth in the league.

On the defensive side, the Knicks allow 112.9 points per game, which is seventh in the league. They are also good at limiting opponents’ field goal attempts, ranking seventh in this category. However, they struggle a bit with defending the three-point line, allowing 14.6 made threes per game.

BTB Betting Pick

The Knicks are favored by 5.5 points against the Cavaliers. Cleveland scores 120 points per game, while the Knicks allow only 112.9. With the Knicks’ strong defense and home advantage, picking the Knicks to cover the -5.5 spread is a solid choice.

The total for this game is set at 239.5 points. Both teams score around 120 points per game, but the Knicks’ defense might limit the Cavaliers. Considering these factors, taking the under 239.5 is a reasonable pick.