The New York Knicks (47-35) and Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) open a best-of-7 series Saturday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tip for Game 1 of the Round 1 Eastern Conference series is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Knicks stumbled down the stretch, losing the final 2 games of the regular season and going 1-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in the final 4 outings.
New York won 130-116 at Cleveland recently, however, cashing as a 3-point underdog on March 31 as the Over (220.5) connected. The Knicks also topped the Cavaliers 105-103 at Madison Square Garden as 3.5-point ‘dogs as the Under (221) cashed on Jan. 24.
The Knicks actually won and covered 3 of the 4 regular-season meetings. The Under cashed in both meetings in New York and the Over connected in each of the 2 meetings in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers won 3 of the final 4 games of the regular season but went 1-3-1 ATS in the final 5 contests. The Under cashed in 5 of the final 7 outings, too.
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Knicks at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Knicks +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Cavaliers -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +5.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Knicks at Cavaliers key injuries
Knicks
- F Julius Randle (ankle) questionable
- F Isaiah Roby (ankle) out
Cavaliers
- F Isaac Okoro (knee) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Knicks at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 113, Cavaliers 111
Moneyline
The KNICKS (+180) look to maintain their mastery of the Cavaliers in the opening game of this playoff series. With a chance to nearly double up, New York is a strong value play in Game 1.
Against the spread
The KNICKS +5.5 (-115) are a safer play if you just can’t bring yourself to play against them straight up.
The Cavs are just 1-3-1 ATS in the past 5 games while cashing in just 2 of the past 7 games on their home court.
New York is an impressive 36-15-1 ATS in the past 52 games on the road, are 9-4 ATS in the past 13 meetings and 5-2 ATS in the past 7 trips to Cleveland.
Over/Under
OVER 216.5 (-110) is the play in Game 1.
The Over cashed in 4 of the past 5 games for the Knicks while going 4-1 in the past 5 road games against teams with a winning home record, too.
The Under is 5-2 in the past 7 games overall for the Cavs, while cashing at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 outings. However, the Over is 6-0 in the past 6 home games against teams with a winning home record, while going 4-1-1 in the past 6 games when playing on 3 or more days of rest.
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