The Cleveland Cavaliers (17-14) and New York Knicks (20-9) will face off in the NBA this afternoon. Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will broadcast live on ABC.
The Knicks are 5.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Knicks -5.5), with the over/under set at 240 total points. New York is a -210 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +175 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Christmas Day.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Prediction, Picks
- Cavaliers vs Knicks pick: Donovan Mitchell 30+ Points (-115)
My Knicks vs Cavaliers best bet is on Donovan Mitchell to score 30 points or more, with the best price currently available at bet365. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 240 -110o / -110u | +175 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 240 -110o / -110u | -210 |
Cavaliers vs Knicks NBA Christmas Day Preview
The Knicks have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA this month, and the Cavs — lukewarm as of late — are hoping for a stretch that leads them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, where they feel like they belong.
Today, they may have some reinforcements.
The Knicks are 11-3 since November 24, including the NBA Cup Final, while Cleveland is just 5-8 in that same stretch, a run which includes their back-to-back wins heading into Christmas.
The injury report for this game has some important developments.
For Cleveland, Larry Nance Jr. (calf) and Max Strus (foot) remain out, but Evan Mobley (calf) has been upgraded to questionable, giving him a chance to play his first game since December 12.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson (ankle) and OG Anunoby (ankle) are both returning after sitting out the loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.
Guerschon Yabusele (illness) remains questionable, while Deuce McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) are both out.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Prediction, Betting Analysis
As mentioned on Buckets, I like this spot for Donovan Mitchell here.
He's shooting more than he ever has (21.4 attempts per game) and even with Mobley possibly back, it's not like Mitchell will drop to option No. 2.
Mitchell has scored 30 or more points 16 times in 28 games this season, including 14 of 23 with Mobley by his side.
With Mobley active, it helps occupy Anunoby, though Mikal Bridges should still get a fair amount of Mitchell possessions, either on the ball or on a free safety role.
Either way, Cleveland needs Mitchell's offense more than many realized this season, and even as it took 25 attempts (plus five free throws) to break 30 in the season opener, that's generally the blueprint.
Mitchell is shooting 50/39/85 this season, so his efficiency is impressive given the uptick in raw volume and his usage rating, which is now at 33.1, the second-highest of his career and highest in his Cleveland years.
He's at 30-plus in 8-of-14 and has been trending the right way, barring two brutally down but outlier performances recently.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell 30+ Points (-115, bet365)
