Thu Dec 25 16:00:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NBA Christmas Day Tip-Off: Cavaliers and Knicks Clash in Holiday Showdown

NEW YORK – December 25, 2025 – The NBA’s Christmas Day tradition continues with a five-game slate, kicking off at 12 p.m. ET with a highly anticipated Eastern Conference matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks.

The Knicks, boasting a 20-9 record and sitting second in the East behind the surprising Detroit Pistons, will host a Cavaliers team (17-14) looking to recapture their dominant form from last season. New York emerged victorious in their previous encounter this season, securing a 119-111 win on October 22.

All eyes will be on the star guards: Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (30.6 PPG, 5.4 APG) and New York’s Jalen Brunson (29.1 PPG, 6.6 APG). While Mitchell has been a force to be reckoned with this season, the SportsLine Projection Model anticipates a slightly subdued performance on Christmas Day, projecting 30.4 combined points and assists for the star guard.

Despite a recent loss, the Knicks’ strong home record (14-2) makes them a formidable opponent. The SportsLine model favors the Cavaliers, but with New York’s home record that will be a tough ask. While their previous meeting resulted in a high-scoring affair, the model projects a final score of 122-116, with the Under hitting in 55.2% of simulations.

[Note: Game information and results were provided by SportsLine Projection Model and CBS Sports. Contact your local television provider for channel listing]

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