| MATCHUP | Cleveland Cavaliers | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Where | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | |
| When | Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
The Cleveland Cavaliers invade Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Here’s a Washington Mystics vs New York Liberty Prediction. This article will include a Kansas City Royals vs Oakland Athletics Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be eager to kick off their campaign after winning an impressive 64 games during the regular season to earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Only to get eliminated in the second round by 4-1 at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in a surprise exit. Donovan Mitchell led the team with averages of 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, Darius Garland averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, Evan Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while Jarrett Allen averaged 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Cavaliers scored 121.9 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from the 3-point line. The Cavaliers’ management weren’t too busy in the offseason, but they did trade away Javonte Green and Ty Jerome for Lonzo Ball, Thomas Bryant, and Larry Nance Jr. Expectations are sky-high for the Cavaliers this season. Especially with the Celtics missing Jayson Tatum. The Pacers missing Tyrese Haliburton to really open up the Eastern Conference.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks will be eager to go further than they went last season, where they finished with a 51-31 record to finish with the third seed in the Eastern Conference before they fell in the Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson was a rock for the Knicks with averages of 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Karl-Anthony Towns looked like a great fit with his new squad as he enjoyed a solid season with averages of 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.
OG Anunoby averaged 18.0 points per game, while Mikal Bridges averaged 17.6 and 3.7 assists per game. As a team, the Knicks scored 115.8 points per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from the 3-point line. The Knicks were relatively quiet in the offseason, but they bolstered their depth with the addition of players like Precious Achiuwa, Jordan Clarkson, Cameron Payne and Guershon Yabusele while re-signing Mikal Bridges to another four years.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Cavaliers have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have won each of the last three games between the Cavaliers and Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Cavaliers’ last three games at Madison Square Garden.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last seven night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Knicks have lost each of their last six home openers as underdogs.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home openers as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Knicks.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last seven games between the Cavaliers and Knicks at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Cavaliers’ last eight night games at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER the total points line.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Prediction
The Cavaliers are missing some players to start their season with Darius Garland, Max Strus and De’Andre Hunter all on the injury report, while the Knicks are keeping eyes on Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson.
It’s hard to split these two playoff bound squads right now, but I look back at the Cavaliers’ start last season where they won 17 of their first 18 games and something tells me they’re going to start strong once again. The Knicks look tempting as the home underdogs, but I think the Cavaliers kick off their campaign with a win and cover on the road in this spot.