"Christmas Day is usually a time for family and basketball, but the NFL is presenting a new challenge for the NBA this holiday season. After a doubleheader of NFL games on Christmas last year, the league added one more matchup at night to kick off Week 17. All three NFL matchups are between divisional opponents. Meanwhile, the NBA is set to feature its regular slate of five games (all on ABC/ESPN) for the 18th straight year."
"The league probably thought this would be a preview of the Eastern Conference finals when the schedule came out, but the Cavaliers have sputtered and are now without Evan Mobley due to a calf strain. The Knicks -- especially since coach Mike Brown has gone back to last season's starting five -- represent everything the Cavs want to be: tough. And the Knicks are more than finding their stride on offense, being second in efficiency."
Christmas Day features an eight-game sports slate after the NFL added a third divisional matchup to start Week 17 while the NBA keeps its five-game slate on ABC/ESPN. ESPN produced a comprehensive guide with game-by-game storylines, key stats, bold predictions, fantasy X-factors, betting nuggets and Football and Basketball Power Index projections. NFL matchups carry playoff ramifications with the postseason two weeks away. Noon ET Knicks vs. Cavaliers: Cavaliers are without Evan Mobley (calf strain) and have sputtered, while the Knicks reverted to last season’s starting five under coach Mike Brown, rank second in offensive efficiency and are being led by Jalen Brunson.
Read at ESPN.com
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