The New York Knicks (23-24) travel to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Monday to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (28-19). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Cavaliers come into this game as the best-covering team in the NBA with a 29-15-3 record against the spread (ATS) this season. They’re also 8-4-1 ATS as a home favorite. However, Cleveland has only covered four times in its last 10 games despite winning seven of them, going 4-5-1 ATS across that span.
The Knicks have been one of the most disappointing teams this season, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference. They’re 23-24 ATS as well as straight up and are 5-6 ATS as road underdogs.
Knicks at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:11 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +210 (bet $100 to win $210 ) | Cavaliers -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +6.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -6.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 201.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Knicks at Cavaliers key injuries
Knicks
- G Kemba Walker (knee) questionable
- G Derrick Rose (ankle) out
- C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) questionable
Cavaliers
- F Lauri Markkanen (ankle) out
- G Rajon Rondo (hamstring) questionable
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Knicks at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 108, Knicks 101
Money line
PASS on the money line. The Cavaliers are the better team, but -270 is too pricey. Those aren’t playable odds for two teams that both entered the season with playoff expectations.
Against the spread
BET on the CAVALIERS -6.5 (-107).
This becomes an even stronger play if Robinson doesn’t play for New York. The Cavaliers, behind rookie F Evan Mobley and C Jarrett Allen, have the size to give New York major issues.
Cleveland is also allowing the second-fewest points per game. The Knicks rank 23rd in true shooting percentage, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see them heavily struggle to make shots against Cleveland’s length.
While New York does rank in the top ten in offensive rebounding, their main avenue at second-chance points, the Cavaliers rank eighth in rebounding percentage.
I’d back the home side here considering their length and defensive aptitude.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 201.5 (-112).
This total is just too low for a Knicks side that has been more focused offensively this season.
They’ve scored at least 100 points in seven of their last 10 games. While the Knicks might be 20-27 O/U this season, they’re 11-10 on the road, so they’ve managed success with Overs away from Madison Square Garden.
They average 104.1 points per game while the Cavaliers allow around 102. Similarly, the Cavaliers are just 18-29 O/U this season, but they’re 3-2 O/U in their last five outings. Cleveland has topped 100 points in eight of its last 10 games.
Given how low this total is, marginal success by both teams should be able to push the final score over.
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