Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference will clash in Cleveland on Friday night when the Cavaliers host the Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Sporting News has you covered with the latest odds for this marquee matchup, as well as some best bets and player props from the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Let’s get to the odds for this Friday night showdown, then reveal our best bets, top props, and final score prediction for Knicks vs. Cavs.
Knicks vs. Cavs: Spread, moneyline, over/under
All odds and props are from BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
- ATS: Cavs -8.5 (-115) | Knicks +8.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Cavs -350 | Knicks +280
- Over/under: O 240.5 (-105) | U 240.5 (-115)
The Cavs have gone 25-4 at home this season, so nobody should be surprised that they’re big favorites against New York. However, 8.5 is a lot of points to give the Knicks, who have been strong on the road all year (17-8 away from MSG).
Cleveland beat New York 110-104 when these teams clashed at Madison Square Garden in October, but the Knicks took two out of three meetings last season.
New York also served the Cavs a gentleman’s sweep in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, so it’s safe to say these squads have a bit of recent history.
Knicks vs. Cavs best bets and final score prediction
Both of these teams are coming off Thursday night games against inferior opponents — the Knicks won an overtime bout with the Bulls at MSG, while the Cavs easily handled the Nets in Brooklyn. This gives neither team a distinct advantage, as both have been awesome with equal rest as their opponents (Cavs 27-5, Knicks 25-6).
What we can’t get away from, though, is the Cavs’ home record. A 25-4 home record is just absurd — it reminds us of the Celtics last season en route to an 18th championship. Cleveland also has a cover rate of 65.5 percent as a home favorite. Nothing seems to get in this team’s way on home soil.
MORE: NBA betting, explained: Guide to odds, types of bets, more
The Cavs backcourt has been strong against the Knicks, most recently fueled by Darius Garland’s 34 points when Cleveland prevailed over New York in October. Knicks star Jalen Brunson, on the other hand, has struggled against Cleveland. He shot 8-of-24 vs. the Cavs in October, and only averaged 14.3 points per game on 37.5 percent shooting in three games against Cleveland last season.
Look for the Cavs to be ready for this one, holding court once again and holding off a Knicks squad that’s still not quite in the conversation of true title contenders. We don’t like Cleveland by 8.5, though, so consider shooting for an alternate spread and alt-under in a mini-parlay.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Cavs 118, Knicks 114 — Cleveland wins but fails to cover (-8.5), while the score goes UNDER the projected total of 232.5.
Mini-parlay recommendation: Cavs -3.5, Knicks +13.5, UNDER 246.5 (+290)
Knicks vs. Cavs top player prop bet
Jalen Brunson, G, Knicks: UNDER 26.5 points (-115)
The Cavs seem to be the Kryptonite to Brunson’s Superman act over the past couple years, as the young Knicks star has shot just 35.9 percent against Cleveland over the past two seasons.
His per-game scoring average over that four-game span: 16! We love the UNDER here — especially at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, where he averages under 18 PPG over his otherwise decorated career.
