New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, NBA Odds
The New York Knicks (38-21) head into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22), with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. If Cleveland can win, they will avoid being swept 3-0 in the season series and tie the Knicks in record for third place in the Eastern Conference. However, the Knicks would still own the head-to-head tiebreaker, winning both games in New York, 119-111 and 126-124.
That narrow two-point game came on Christmas Day, with Jalen Brunson exploding for 34 points. Cleveland has won its past nine home games and is 2-1 since the All-Star break, having just lost in Oklahoma City to an SGA-less Thunder. Since the break, the Knicks also enter 2-1 and are trying to win their fourth consecutive road game this year after picking up a victory in Chicago on Sunday night.
Knicks vs. Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds
We have a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview tonight, and here are the latest NBA odds:
- Point Spread: Knicks +3.5 (-110) vs. Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Knicks (+135) vs. Cavaliers (-162)
- Point Total (Over/Under): Over 228.5 (-110) / Under 228.5 (-110)
Cleveland is 9-0 SU in its last nine games vs Eastern Conference foes, 7-1 overall, and 5-3 against the spread in February, despite being 24-34 ATS on the season. The Cavs have also covered the spread in four straight at home and are 28-30 on Over/Unders this year.
Conversely, New York’s road ATS form is middling despite a strong recent stretch to get over .500 away from home. The Knicks are now 31-28 ATS and 29-30 on Over/Unders. It is interesting to note the Knicks have actually failed to cover the spread in three straight since the break and are 1-4 ATS in their last five.
New York Knicks
New York arrives playing quality ball, 7-3 over its last 10 games and averaging nearly 117 points per game. Jalen Brunson (27 PPG) remains the engine who both creates for others (6.2 AST) and takes over late, and Karl-Anthony Towns anchors the interior with inside-out scoring (20.1 PPG, 36.5 per cent 3PT) and tenacious rebounding on both ends of the floor (11.8 REB – 3.1 OREB).
Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and deadline acquisition Jose Alvarado form maybe the best foursome of complementary two-way play to fill out the bulk of this rotation.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland enters 8-2 over its last 10 games, averaging a potent 123 points and efficient shooting near 51 per cent from the field. Donovan Mitchell has been elite of late, scoring around 28-29 points and leading the Cavs offence.
Evan Mobley (17.7 PPG, 8.6 REB) continues to do damage on both ends. James Harden has appeared to settle in nicely and quickly through six games with Cleveland. His volume is down from his time with LA, but his efficiency has been way up, operating as a Robin to Mitchell’s Batman. This will be the first time the new-look Cavaliers link up with the Alvarado-infused Knicks.
Cleveland’s home offence is among the league’s most explosive, and the Cavs are seeking their sixth straight home victory, which would further cement their position in the East. Depth contributions, particularly from Jarrett Allen and perimeter shooters, help balance the Cavaliers’ attack.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Knicks vs. Cavaliers?
This figures as one of the best late-season Eastern Conference tests. Cleveland’s recent stretch has been more efficient and overwhelming offensively than New York’s, and the Cavs enjoy a distinct home-court advantage. The Knicks’ defence will have to work to contain Mitchell and the Cavs’ ball movement, spearheaded by Harden’s 8.7 assists per game in a Cavs uniform. The front-court of Mobley and Allen has posed problems for KAT, and Mitchell Robinson could be out.
Donovan Mitchell has combined to score 65 points on 24-of-50 shooting against the Knicks, and with Harden setting him up and taking the pressure off him, he could finally contribute a massive stat line in a winning effort. The Cavs stifle inside, and the backcourt lights it up.
Best Bet: Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
NY
CLE