Like every year, we play on Christmas Day in the NBA on the occasion of NBA Christmas Day. And, in the first meeting of this day, the New York Knicks overthrew the Cleveland Cavaliers (126-124) in a burning Madison Square Garden.
It was an electric meeting that should be expected on the occasion of this NBA Christmas Day, where the New York Knicks, second in the Eastern Conference, hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers, 7th in the same conference. And this meeting had all its surprises in store, offering a magnificent show for the public at Madison Square Garden. A meeting that Cleveland mastered perfectly, quickly taking control. Helped by a fiery Donovan Mitchell (34 points at 12/25, including 4/9 at 3pts and 6/6 shooting, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) at the start of the match, with 10 points, the “Cavs” quickly gained a 15-point lead (18-3, 4th).
Little by little, the Knicks return to their meeting, but are not yet able to reduce the gap. And it is in the second quarter that the match will tighten up. The Knicks recovered thanks to a superb 18-0 inflicted on the Cavs, notably under the leadership of Karl-Anthony Towns (11 pts at 5/13, 14 rebounds). The debates are rebalanced and at the break, it is the Knicks who lead thanks to a final 3 points from Josh Hart (15 pts at 5/9, including 2/5 at 3pts). On the French side, only Mohamed Diawara took the floor this Thursday evening for 5 points.
The Knicks are scared
In the second half, it was Cleveland who returned to the floor better and gradually took back control of the match. With a 9-0 in just two minutes to give itself a little breathing room, Cleveland prevents the often clumsy Knicks from imposing their rhythm. And, at the dawn of the last act, it is the Cavs who manage the match and have a twelve point lead. The start of the last quarter also made it possible to widen this gap even further, thanks to the impact of Donovan Mitchell.
However, it was without counting on the resilience of the Knicks and the support provided by the fans present at Madison Square Garden. Well led by Jalen Brunson (34 pts at 10/25, including 6/12 at 3 pts and 8/10 in throwing, 4 assists), the Knicks are gradually grabbing points from the Cavs to start to pick up the score and catch up. If Mitchell tries everything to maintain his team’s lead, it is the Knicks who come back and 4 minutes from the end of the match, Brunson puts the two teams back on level terms with a superb 3 pts. At the end of the match, the two teams will go blow for blow, but in the end, it is the New York Knicks who win and consolidate their second place in the Eastern Conference.
