Two of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference will face off when the Cavs match up with the Knicks. Neither team made major changes this offseason, sticking with core groups that led them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals, respectively, last season (both teams were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers).

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/knicks as Knicks Might Have Best Christmas Day Game.

The season opens October 21 on NBC and Peacock, with the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrating their 2024-25 championship and facing Kevin Durant’s revamped Houston Rockets. Later, LeBron James begins a record-breaking 23rd season as his Los Angeles Lakers host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.