The surprising Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0) host the New York Knicks (1-2) Tuesday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Below, we analyze the Knicks-Cavaliers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Knicks at Cavaliers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Cavaliers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Knicks +3.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 216.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Knicks at Cavaliers: Key Injuries
Knicks
- SG Alec Burks (ankle) questionable
- PF Kevin Knox II (knee) probable
- PG Austin Rivers (groin) out
- PG Dennis Smith Jr. (quadriceps) out
- F Obi Toppin (calf) out
- G Immanuel Quickley (hip) out
- PF Omari Spellman (knee) out
Cavaliers
- PG Matthew Dellavedova (concussion) out
- PF Kevin Love (calf) out
- SF Kevin Porter Jr. (personal) out
- SG Dylan Windler (hand) out
- SF Isaac Okoro (foot) out
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Knicks at Cavaliers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Knicks 121, Cavaliers 116
Money line (ML)
The KNICKS (+135) are coming off a stunning 130-110 beatdown of the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday and will face a team much closer to their usual tier Tuesday. The Cavs have started a perfect 3-0 but a 118-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers was their only win over a 2019-20 playoff team.
The potential absence of Burks looms large for New York, as his 20.7 points per game rank second on the team, but PF Julius Randle (23.7 PPG) and PG RJ Barrett (17.7 PPG) are capable of shouldering the load.
Cleveland has been overperforming expectations while ranking third in effective field-goal percentage (57.8) and fifth in true shooting percentage (60.0). Regression in those areas opens the door for some profitable fades when backing an opposing underdog.
Against the spread (ATS)
Back the KNICKS +3.5 (-110) for 3 points of insurance in the event of a loss.
The Cavaliers’ first two wins of the season – against the Charlotte Hornets (121-114) and Detroit Pistons (128-119) – were both played within a 10-point margin before they blew out the Sixers by 24 points.
New York won the 2019-20 head-to-head series 3-1 with both teams finishing in the Eastern Conference basement.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the OVER 216.5 (-110) on what’s oddly the lowest projected total of Tuesday’s NBA slate.
While we’re expecting the Cavaliers’ shooting prowess to drop off sooner than later, they’re still averaging 122.3 PPG through three games and have a fair bit of room for error against a Knicks defense allowing 113.3 PPG. The Over partially hedges against our above two picks of the Knicks.
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Also see:
- Toppin to miss at least one week due to injury (Rookie Wire)
- Worst teams ever to pay the luxury tax (Hoops Hype)
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