Cavaliers at Knicks Betting Tips & Odds

In comparison to last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are not on pace. Cleveland is taking a step back this year with a below average defense and erratic offense.

Cleveland marquee man Donovan Mitchell is having to carry too much of the burden.

Due to the lack of secondary scoring and depth, the Cavaliers have become one of the worst values on the board.

On Christmas Day, the Cavaliers will play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The game is the first of five NBA matchups on ABC for the holiday on Thursday.

NBA betting interest is high for this Christmas Day showcase. The Knicks are a legacy franchise with a huge following and are in top form.

Cavaliers at Knicks Preview

On Thursday, December 25, 2025, the New York Knicks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden, New York. Tipoff time is Noon ET with television coverage on ABC.

Public Betting Odds Factors

• The casual sector will be all over the Knicks based on their powerful brand and strong performance this season.

• The Cavaliers are a tough sell.

• Even when they were winning more, the Cavs were never a team that squares were enamored with.

• New York has emerged as one of the top teams in the Association.

• Most important of all, the Knicks are making gamblers happy with a strong profit margin.

Cavaliers at Knicks Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider 

• The Cavaliers will be getting an enhanced NBA betting price.

• The Knicks have too much appeal with the casual sector and will be the public choice.

• Cleveland is a capable contrarian value, getting more points than it should.

• As the trends show, the Cavs and under the total pay well in this series.

Cavaliers at Knicks Prime Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers and Under the Total

Cavaliers at Knicks Betting Tips

Cleveland Cavaliers 

• The Cleveland Cavaliers are 15-14 straight up, 8-21 against the spread, and 13-16 over/under the total.

• Cleveland has covered one out of their last four games.

• The Cavaliers have gone over the total in five of their previous seven matchups.

• Cleveland is 7^th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

• Cleveland is 7.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

• Cleveland has NBA metrics of 11^th for scoring offense, 23^rd for field goal percentage, 27th for 3-point field goal percentage, 23^rd for free throw percentage, and 13^th for offensive rebounding.

• On defense, the Cavaliers have NBA metrics of 20^th for scoring defense, 14^th for field goal percentage permitted, 22^nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 22^nd for defensive rebounding.

New York Knicks 

• The New York Knicks are 20-8 straight up, 18-10 against the spread, and 15-13 over/under the total.

• New York has covered six out of their last eight games.

• The Knicks have gone over the total in three of their previous four matchups.

• New York is 2^nd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.  New York is two games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

• New York has NBA metrics of 4^th for scoring offense, 8^th for field goal percentage, 4^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 10^th for free throw percentage, and 5^th for offensive rebounding.

• The Knicks have NBA metrics of 6^th for scoring defense, 8^th for field goal percentage permitted, 21st for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 4^th for defensive rebounding.

Cavaliers at Knicks Head-to-Head and Key Stats

• In the series between the Cavaliers and Knicks, Cleveland covered the spread in four of the most recent five meetings.

• The Knicks and Cavaliers went under the total in 13 of their most recent 16 meetings.

• Specifically in New York, the Cavaliers covered the spread in three of their last four visits.

• Eight of the last nine games between the Cavaliers and Knicks in New York went under the total.

• Of great concern is how Cleveland has been underwater on the road.

• The Cavaliers covered the spread in only four of their last 12 away games.

• Cleveland went over the total in six of their last seven road tilts.

• By contrast, the Knicks have printed money at Madison Square Garden.

• New York covered the spread in 14 of their last 15 home games.

• The Knicks went under the total in four of their most recent five home tilts.