It’s pretty impossible to lose a best-of-seven series in Game 1, but you have to give the Cleveland Cavaliers credit for trying. After blowing a 22-point lead with under eight minutes to play and losing in overtime 115-104 on Tuesday, the Cavs face the New York Knicks Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Cleveland had complete control of the contest and was on the verge of its third straight road playoff win while ending the Knicks’ seven-game postseason win streak in the process. New York outscored the Cavs 44-11 over the final eight minutes of regulation and overtime.

The Knicks jumpstarted their comeback with an 18-1 run, then started overtime on a 9-0 run. Cleveland is now in the dumps. New York can smell blood, and it should pounce. 

Cavaliers vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds

The Knicks are solid 6.5-point favourites on the NBA odds with a -240 moneyline, while Cleveland is +195. 

The Cavaliers are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games against New York, but the Knicks are 7-1 ATS during their eight-game winning streak. They have won 12 of 14 at Madison Square Garden, which will be rocking this evening.

The total for this contest is 216 points. Cleveland has played to the Over in five of six, and New York has done the same in five of seven.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell had 29 points and six steals on Tuesday, and Evan Mobley added 15 points and 14 rebounds, but James Harden scored just 15 points. He had more turnovers (six) than field goals (five), and he was a major defensive liability during New York’s comeback. 

The Cavaliers shot just 40 per cent (36 for 90) from the field, and were out-rebounded, 47-38. They had 23 assists, but also committed 19 turnovers. The team is making its first appearance in the conference finals since a four-year run of conference titles ended in 2018. 

Cleveland is mentally strong, having recovered from a 2-0 hole in the last round against top-seeded Detroit, but the Knicks are operating on a different level right now. A split in New York would be desirable, but the Cavs will at least want to head back home on the heels of another close game instead of a blowout.

New York Knicks

The Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year and searching for their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999. It’s been 53 years since the franchise last won it all, and New Yorkers are feeling it right now. 

Jalen Brunson had 38 points and six assists, Karl-Anthony Towns added 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges chipped in with 18 points in Tuesday’s triumph, but the most important line may have been OG Anunoby’s. 

He only had 13 points in 34 minutes, but the simple fact that he was able to return and play that much after missing two games with a strained right hamstring adds even more confidence as the Knicks have their full rotation back in order.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2?

It would be a minor miracle for the Cavaliers to even cover the spread after Tuesday’s debacle. The Knicks have now won four straight at the Garden by an average of 21.3 points. 

Cleveland had complete control of the series opener for three plus quarters, and still lost by double digits. At this same time last year, it was the Knicks blowing a lead in Game 1 of the conference finals against Indiana. New York would go on to lose that series in six games. 

Lesson learned. Take the Knicks to win 118-106.

CAVALIERS

Away

106

KNICKS

Home

118

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