Free Pick: Cavaliers vs. Knicks Odds
Looking for Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Free NBA predictions? NBA betting sees the Cavaliers taking on the Knicks on 5/19 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA predictions like this Cavaliers Knicks free pick.
2026 NBA Playoffs Handicapping – Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks
(0-0) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks (0-0)
Date: May 19, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
NBA Moneyline Odds: Cavaliers +210 | Knicks -240 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Cavaliers +7 | Knicks -7
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 217.5
Here’s why I’m taking the underdog Cleveland as outlined in my Cavaliers Knicks free pick and gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Cavaliers vs. Knicks Gameday
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is on tap Tuesday as the Cleveland Cavaliers travel to the Mecca to face the New York Knicks.
Cleveland was pushed to Game 7, where they spanked the Pistons 125-94 to advance to the ECF. Four Cavaliers scored in double digits, led by Donovan Mitchell with 26 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two stocks.
New York has the benefit of rest, having dispensed of the 76ers in a sweep, pounding Philly 144-114 to wrap up the series. Six Knicks scored in double figures, led by Miles McBride with 25 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Odds & Last 5
Last year, the Cavaliers owned the Knicks, sweeping the four-game series, while this season, it’s New York that had the upper hand, taking the season series 2-1.
Cleveland finished the season in the fourth seed (52-30) and got to this point following two series that were pushed to the limit, winning both Game 7’s against the Raptors and Pistons. With those opponents, the Cavaliers have dealt with two of the best defensive clubs.
The Knicks had an easier journey to the ECF, defeating the Hawks in six matches while they swept the 76ers. New York finished in third with a record of 53-29, and has home court in this series as the top remaining East seed.
New York is favored by 7 points, with an over/under of 217.5 points.
Cavaliers Stats
Cleveland ranks sixth (118.3) on offense and 15th on defense (114.1). Additionally, the Cavs rank ninth in net rating (+4.1) and run the 13th quickest pace (100.70).
The East’s fourth-place Cavaliers average 28.5 assists (seventh) and 44.4 rebounds (11th). Cleveland scores 119.5 points per game while their opponents average 115.4 points.
Team leaders* for the Cavs are Donovan Mitchell for points (27.9) and steals (1.5), James Harden for assists (7.7), while Evan Mobley is tops for rebounds (9.0) and blocks (1.7).
As a team, the Cavaliers shoot 36.0% from the perimeter with six players shooting above the league average.
*minimum 20 games
**Leads the NBA
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Knicks Stats
New York ranks fourth (118.7) offensively, seventh defensively (112.3), fifth in net rating (+6.4), and runs the 25th-ranked pace in the association (97.71).
The Knicks are averaging 116.5 points per game while their opponents average 110.1 points. In terms of dimes and boards, New York averages 27.4 (13th) and 45.6 (seventh), respectively.
New York’s team leaders* are Jalen Brunson for scoring (26.0 points) and assists (6.8), Karl-Anthony Towns for rebounds (11.9), OG Anunoby for steals (1.6), and Mitchell Robinson for blocks (1.2).
The Knicks produce above the league average from the perimeter, shooting 37.3% as a team, while nine* players shoot above the league average.
*minimum 20 games
**Leads the NBA
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks bottom line:
Game 1 is a factor of rest versus rhythm, as the Knicks haven’t played since May 10th, while the Cavs get just a day off from the end of the last series.
If you caught the Spurs versus Thunder Game 1, it’s clear that rhythm can make the difference. That will only work in Game 1 of the series, but it’s a big advantage. Over the course of the series, however, watch to see if the Cavs look weary having played 14 postseason games against two very physical squads.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Basketball Betting Trends
- Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games.
- Cleveland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games against New York.
- Also, New York is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York’s last 6 games.
- Additionally, New York is 7-0 SU in its last 7 games.
Cavaliers Knicks Free Pick: Cavaliers -7
Here is my Cavaliers Knicks free pick.
Donovan Mitchell finally gets his opportunity to appear in a Conference Finals and will be extra motivated to play at MSG (his home court/team growing up). Both he and James Harden had struggled in close-out games, so I’m anxious to see how they respond at this higher level, facing a robust offense.
To that end, the Knicks have unlocked a fiery offense that boasts the top net rating in the postseason with a whopping 20.0 differential.
The Cavs aren’t beasts defensively, so New York should still be able to score freely. That said, a hamstring may be the x-factor in this series as O.G. Anunoby is the captain of the Knicks’ defense and will be essential to spend time on each of Mitchell, Harden, and possibly Mobley. Anunoby is listed as a game-time decision for Game 1, but is expected to play.
Other intriguing matchups will be the front court of the Cavs and how they address Karl-Anthony Towns, who is thriving as the point forward for the Knicks. Can he replicate his success versus Cleveland? And, more importantly, can he stay out of foul trouble?
As for the backcourts, it’s likely Max Strus or Dean Wade who draw the Jalen Brunson assignment while Mike Brown used Josh Hart predominantly on Harden and Mikal Bridges on Mitchell in the season. Hart isn’t the ideal matchup for Harden, so keep an eye out for that situation to be tweaked to start the series.
While Cleveland loves to shoot the deep ball it’s the Knicks who have feasted this postseason with the highest 3-point efficiency of 40.8%. They rank third in makes with 13.1 per game. In contrast, the Cavs rank 7th in efficiency (34.0%) and 5th in makes (12.6).
Other key areas to pay attention to are the glass and turnovers.
Despite the Cavs’ twin towers, it’s the Knicks who rebound better. Cleveland needs to be more aggressive in this situation, as they thrive when they can get out and run off a defensive rebound. This could be particularly detrimental to the Cavs when Mitchell Robinson enters the game.
The Cavs will need to take much better care of the ball, ranking 15th this postseason, and the Knicks aren’t a team they can afford to be so careless against.
I feel like this is the Knicks series to lose, but just like San Antonio hit the court ready, I think the Cavs’ rhythm gives them their best shot at stealing a game at MSG.
With that, I’ll take the seven points and the Cavs, plus I LOVE the over.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
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NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, which will begin on Tuesday, May 19 at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
Series schedule ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/18IFw276x0
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 18, 2026
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