The Cleveland Cavaliers and NY Knicks meet Tuesday in NBA Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Knicks vs. Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Pistons in 7 games and are in the conference finals for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The Cavs have won 13 of their last 20 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 110.4 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 108.8 points on 46.1 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.6 points and 3.3 assists, while James Harden is averaging 20.1 points and 6.2 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 7.3 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc and 74.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.1 rebounds per game.
NY Knicks Betting Preview
The NY Knicks have won 7 straight games and will play for the first time in 9 days. The Knicks have won 13 of their last 16 games.
The NY Knicks are averaging 120.4 points on 51.7 percent shooting and allowing 101 points on 44.1 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 27.4 points and 2.6 rebounds, while OG Anunoby is averaging 21.4 points and 1.3 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns is the third double-digit scorer, and Mikal Bridges is dishing out 2.4 assists. The NY Knicks are shooting 40.8 percent from beyond the arc and 76.4 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 31.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won each of their last nine home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Cavaliers have lost seven of their last eight playoff road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last nine home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won seven of their last eight games as road underdogs after winning as underdogs.
- The Knicks have lost four of their last five playoff games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Cavaliers teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the last six Eastern Conference Finals Game 1s has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the last five playoff games between the Cavaliers and Knicks has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Cavaliers’ last four Eastern Conference Finals road games has gone UNDER the total points line.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Mitchell Robinson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (16.1) this season.
- Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded 6+ assists in seven consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- James Harden has recorded 83 games with 3+ assists this season—most of any player in the league.
- Dean Wade ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (10.0).
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for Q4 opponent points per game this season (25.3).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.0).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (61.2).
Knicks vs Cavaliers Injury Report
Larry Nance Jr. is questionable for the Cavaliers due to an illness.
OG Anunoby is probable for the Knicks despite a hamstring strain.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Prediction
The Cavs are talented and have won 5 of the last 7 games against the Knicks. If they play to their potential, they can win this series. However, the Cavs pick and choose when to show up and they’re fresh out of a seven-game series. Usually teams that just played seven games and jump right back into a new series get waxed in the series opener. The Cavs have also struggled on the road these playoffs and they are just 40-55-1 ATS on the season.
The Knicks have been on a tear lately, winning 7 straight games and winning those games by an average of 26.4 points. I’m not excited to step in front of this freight train. I’ll ride with the Knicks in game 1.