The Knicks offer themselves a Christmas miracle against the Cavaliers!

To kick off these “2025 Christmas Games,” the Knicks hosted the Cavaliers and Jarrett Allen who is responsible for opening the scoring by making a free throw. As is often the case this season, it only took a few minutes Karl-Anthony Towns only to commit two fouls and be picked off by Mike Brown.

For their part, Cleveland started the cannonade and quickly took a fifteen-point lead after the basket Donovan Mitchell (34 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals).

Let’s try to fix this bad start from New York, French Mohammed Diawara (5 points, 1 rebound) started well with a basket in the racket and a shot from a distance, but it was not enough to stop the rush of the guests. The Cavaliers finished this first action with a score of 38 to 23, shooting 68%.

The second quarter opens with two long-range arrows from Jordan Clarkson (25 pts on 9/17 shooting) which forced Kenny Atkinson to take a timeout. Immediately after, Thomas Bryant also showing from behind the arc, but the Knicks are off to an 18-0 start during which Mikal Bridges gives the first lead in the match to the Knicks (43-41). However, thanks De’Andre Hunter, the visitors manage to calm the fire.

Just before half time, Jalen Brunson (34 points, 4 assists) makes the game-winning shot to answer an alley-oop between Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley to give the Knicks a two-point advantage at the break (60-58).

Tyler Kolek and Jaylen Branson Unsustainable in ‘Money Time’

After going to the locker room, Cleveland regains the advantage thanks to the tandem Darius Garland (20 points, 10 assists) – Sam Merrill, but the one that shows the most is Jailon Tison. The rear scored eleven points in the third quarter and the Cavs opened a new gap before the start of the final act (96-84).

In the fourth quarter, Josh Hart step on the foot Dean Wade and twists the ankle. The winger leaves the field and will not play the game again. However, the Knicks do not allow themselves to be overcome and count on two winning shots by Jalen Branson and Tyler Kolek (16 points, 9 assists) for a two-possession comeback. The latter catches fire at the end of the match and lands important shots. If Mikal Bridges gives the Knicks the lead, Darius Garland responds directly with a layup, except Jalen Brunson makes another long shot (121-119).

Attacks followed one another at full speed in the final minute of the game and it was New York that came out on top. The locals took advantage of Cleveland’s poor defense and took a four-point lead after a dunkAnd the Anunobi.

Despite Donovan Mitchell’s long shot with two seconds left, the Cavaliers were unable to avoid defeat and fell 126-124.

WHAT TO REMEMBER:

– A bailout for New York. Throughout the game, New York’s bench played an important role. First there was Jordan Clarkson who scored 25 points, but at the end of the match it was very difficult Tyler Kolek. The leader had a series of important shots, but also good possessions in defense. He was able to stop Donovan Mitchell’s counterattack, and immediately afterward he grabbed a defensive rebound that resulted in a basket by Mychal Bridges to give New York the lead. In addition to his 16 points and 9 assists, Tyler Kolek had the right to chants on his behalf that echoed through Madison Square Garden.

– Evan Mobley’s mixed return from injury. After nearly two weeks out, Evan Mobley returned to action and finished the night with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 minutes of action. However, he forgot to make a late screen on Karl-Anthony Towns with 40 seconds left. The interior of the Knicks was thus able to easily grab an offensive rebound that gave the players of the Big Apple four steps ahead.

– Another bag of points for the Cavaliers. Again, the Cavaliers defense did not shine. After conceding 37 points in the second quarter, Kenny Atkinson’s men took 42 in the final period. Worse, they didn’t get a defensive stop in the 90 seconds of the game, except for this missed shot by Tyler Kolek, but Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed an offensive rebound. Cleveland finished the night with 126 points, and over the last five games they have allowed an average of 127.8 points per night…

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.