The Knicks looked dead. Down 17 points on Christmas Day, playing a Cavaliers team that entered with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Madison Square Garden was getting quiet.

And then New York remembered they're the NBA Cup champions and decided to make Christmas interesting.

The Knicks completed their largest comeback of the season, rallying for a 126-124 victory that sent the Garden into absolute pandemonium. If you had New York -5.5, you spent the fourth quarter aging rapidly before cashing the most stressful ticket of the year.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: Knicks rallied from 17 down to beat Cleveland 126-124 on Christmas
• The damage: New York shot 21-of-44 from three (47.7%) to fuel the comeback
• Why you should care: Cavaliers' league-worst 8-21 ATS record continues to be exploitable
• The hero: Jalen Brunson with 34 points to lead the charge

Brunson Absolutely Cooked

Jalen Brunson wasn't letting his team lose on Christmas. He finished with 34 points on efficient shooting, conducting the offense with the kind of poise that justifies every penny of his contract.

But the real surprise came off the bench. Tyler Kolek dropped 16 points with nine assists and posted a game-high plus-24. Jordan Clarkson added 25 points. The Knicks' second unit outplayed Cleveland's starters for stretches of the fourth quarter.

When you're shooting 47.7 percent from three as a team, comebacks become possible. New York made 21 threes, and it felt like every single one of them came in the final eight minutes.

Cleveland's ATS Nightmare Continues

Here's what you need to know about the Cavaliers: they cannot cover a spread to save their lives.

Cleveland entered Christmas with an 8-21 record against the spread. That's dead last in the NBA. Dead. Last. The best team in the Eastern Conference by record is somehow the worst team in basketball when it comes to covering.

On Christmas, they were 5.5-point underdogs, meaning New York needed to win by 6 or more. The Knicks won by exactly 2, which means Cleveland bettors cashed while Knicks spread bettors got absolutely gutted.

Wait, no. Let me re-read the line. The Knicks were favored by 5.5 at home. The Cavs covered as dogs by losing by only 2.

If you've been fading Cleveland all season, you're printing money. This team finds ways to not cover even when they're in control of games.

The Comeback Was Ridiculous

At one point in the third quarter, the Cavaliers led by 17. Donovan Mitchell was cooking. Cleveland's offense was flowing. New York looked like a team that had played on Christmas Eve and partied too hard.

Then the fourth quarter happened.

The Knicks outscored Cleveland 38-27 in the final period. They hit contested threes. They got stops they had no business getting. They turned the Garden into a madhouse while Cavaliers fans watched their team choke away a commanding lead.

Evan Mobley fouled out. Cleveland's half-court offense disappeared. And Brunson just kept making plays.

The Bottom Line

The Knicks just proved why they're dangerous in big moments. Down 17 on Christmas Day, they clawed back and stole a game that had no business being close.

For bettors, the takeaway is simple: fade Cleveland against the spread. Their 8-22 ATS record isn't a fluke. This is a team that consistently fails to cover, whether they're favored or underdogs.

And if you're betting the Knicks, strap in. This team is going to give you heart attacks, but they find ways to win when it matters.