PREVIEW: The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are tied for third in the East , setting up a marquee conference matchup with significant playoff implications. Cleveland enters as one of the league's hottest teams, riding a seven-game winning streak and having won 14 of the past 16 games , while the visiting Knicks have the second-best record over the past month . The Knicks bring elite efficiency from beyond the arc and suffocating perimeter defense, ranking third in three-point shooting and fourth in defending against three-pointers, allowing low-quality looks. Meanwhile, Cleveland counters with exceptional rim attacks ranking third in the league and stellar spacing on offense, though their defense gives up concerning volume on perimeter attempts. The Knicks won both previous meetings this season, including a 126-124 victory on Christmas Day featuring a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback , demonstrating clutch execution when it matters most. The Cavaliers have been rolling lately, going 8-2 in their last 10 games and looking much better over the recent month, though they enter off a loss to the Thunder. Cleveland's biggest challenge is the absence of Max Strus, a two-way wing whose perimeter shooting and defense open up spacing and allow Donovan Mitchell to stay aggressive, with his loss making the offense less dynamic. New York ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference giving up only 111.8 points while holding opponents to 45.9 percent shooting , positioning them to exploit a Cavaliers team that struggles to maintain consistency on the defensive end.