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 5/21 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
(0-1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks (1-0)
Date: May 21, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
NBA Moneyline Odds: Cavaliers +185 | Knicks -200 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Cavaliers +5.5 | Knicks -5.5
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 215.5
Here’s why I’m taking the hometown favorite as outlined in my Cavaliers Knicks free pick and gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Cavaliers vs. Knicks Gameday
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals is on tap Thursday as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the New York Knicks.
The opener of the series was a wild affair in which the Knicks trailed by 22 points with just under eight minutes remaining, but rallied to tie the game and send it to overtime, where they won 115-104.
Six Cavaliers scored in double digits, led by Donovan Mitchell with 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, and six steals.
Five Knicks registered double figures, led by Jalen Brunson with 38 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals. Karl-Anthony Towns seemed absent on the court but delivered a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
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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 5.5 points, with an over/under of 215.5 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:
I called the first game an opportunity for the Cavaliers to steal a match at MSG, and they were well on their way for three quarters and five minutes. Then they completely fell apart, allowing the Knicks to go on a 44-11 run as they choked away the loss.
It highlighted my comments about the Cavs being fatigued after two consecutive seven-game series. The question is whether they can rally, and while they don’t need to win Game 2 because they’ll play Games 3 and 4 at home, another loss would mean they’d have to win four out of five, which is highly likely.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks Basketball Betting Trends
- Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland’s last 6 games.
- Cleveland is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games on the road.
- Also, New York is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York’s last 7 games.
- Additionally, New York is 8-0 SU in its last 8 games.
Cavaliers Knicks Free Pick: Knicks -5.5
Here is my Cavaliers Knicks free pick.
Donovan Mitchell played great for three-quarters of Game 1, but looked tired in the fourth and overtime frames. Not that it would have mattered, as the Cavs elected to put the ball predominantly in James Harden’s hands.
The veteran once again was prone to miscues as he had more turnovers (6) than made field goals (5). Making matters worse, the Knicks adapted to the Cavs shutting down KAT by returning to a Brunson-led offense and sent all action directly at Harden, who failed miserably.
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).
I called for you to pay attention to the glass and turnovers in Game 1, and it proved prophetic. New York won the rebounding battle 47 to 38 and had one fewer turnover, but scored an additional eight points off Cleveland’s miscues.
To reiterate, I feel like this is the Knicks series to lose, and with that, I think they’ll be much more in rhythm in Game 2, riding the momentum to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
With that, I’ll take the Knicks to win and cover.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
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NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
NBA teams were 3-747 when down by 20 or more in the 4th quarter of a playoff game over the last 30 years. They are now 4-747.
Knicks come back from 22 in the fourth quarter, the second-largest 4th quarter comeback in the playoffs in the play-by-play era (since 1997).
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) May 20, 2026
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