The San Antonio Spurs will play the New York Knicks on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. This game kicks off the NBA’s annual Christmas Day slate, bringing Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs to face a Knicks team with championship aspirations. The Spurs enter with a 15-13 record, while the Knicks are 18-10, making this a key matchup for both teams as they look to maintain momentum.
The Knicks and Spurs have split their last 10 meetings, with the home team winning each game in last season’s series. Historically, the Spurs lead the head-to-head series 58-45, but the Knicks hold a 4-1 edge in the last five games at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is set for 12:10 PM ET, with national coverage on ABC, ESPN, and Disney+. This matchup pairs one of the league’s brightest young stars with a Knicks team hitting its stride.
Spurs Preview – Wembanyama Leading the Turnaround
The Spurs have shown significant improvement this season, entering Christmas with a winning record for the first time in years. Victor Wembanyama has been the centerpiece of this revival, continuing to impress in his sophomore season. Against the Knicks last year, he averaged 27 points and 14.5 rebounds over two games, and he’ll look to build on that success in this matchup.
Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan have also stepped up this season. Vassell has improved on defense, though his career averages against the Knicks remain low at just 9.7 points per game. Sochan has shown growth as well, particularly in his scoring and efficiency, but he’ll need to raise his game against a tough New York team.
San Antonio’s success this season has been built on defense, ranking second in the NBA in blocked shots. Seven Spurs players are averaging double-digit points, highlighting their balanced scoring attack. To stay competitive, they’ll need Wembanyama to dominate the rim and create opportunities for his teammates while limiting turnovers and rebounding effectively.
Knicks Preview – Finding Their Groove
The Knicks are hitting their stride after a slow start, winning eight of their last 10 games. New additions like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges have been key contributors. Towns has put himself in early MVP discussions with his strong performances, and Bridges adds versatility as a two-way player. Jalen Brunson remains a consistent scoring threat and leader for this team.
The Knicks have excelled on both ends of the floor, ranking seventh in offense and sixth in defense. They’ll look to use their depth and experience to control the pace of the game. Towns will have a crucial matchup against Wembanyama, where his combination of size and speed could give him an edge.
New York also benefits from the presence of players like OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, who provide additional scoring options. The Knicks have been consistent at home, and their ability to spread the floor and convert scoring opportunities will be key to covering the spread against the Spurs.
Betting Prediction
The Spurs are 14-15 against the spread this season, while the Knicks are 14-14-1. The Knicks have shown steady improvement and are 6-6-1 ATS at home. San Antonio, meanwhile, has struggled as a road underdog, with a 2-5 ATS record in those situations.
The Knicks’ experience and depth, combined with the energy of playing at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day, give them a clear edge. Expect New York to control the game with strong performances from Towns and Brunson, limiting the Spurs’ chances to keep the game close.
- Pick: New York Knicks -9
- Predicted Score: Knicks 115, Spurs 102
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