| MATCHUP | Cleveland Cavaliers | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 52-30 | 53-29 |
| Spread | +6.5 -110 | -6.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +190 | -230 |
| Total | Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110) |
| Where | New York Stadium | |
| When | Thursday, May 21, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to even up the series at 1-1. The Cavs have won 13 of their last 21 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 109.9 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 109.2 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.9 points and 3.3 assists, while James Harden is averaging 19.7 points and 6 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 7.3 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 33.9 percent from beyond the arc and 74.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.9 rebounds per game.
NY Knicks Betting Preview
The NY Knicks look to take a 2-0 series lead to inch closer to an NBA Finals berth. The Knicks have won 14 of their last 17 games.
The NY Knicks are averaging 119.9 points on 51.4 percent shooting and allowing 101.3 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.4 points and 2.8 rebounds, while OG Anunoby is averaging 20.4 points and 1.3 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns is the third double-digit scorer, and Mikal Bridges is dishing out 2.3 assists. The NY Knicks are shooting 39.9 percent from beyond the arc and 75.2 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 31.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.9 rebounds per game.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won each of their last eight playoff games.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last five playoff road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight playoff games.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won seven of their last eight road games after coming off overtime.
- The Knicks have lost three of their last four playoff games as home favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as home favorites after coming off overtime.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Cavaliers’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Knicks’ last four home games after coming off overtime has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Three of the last four Eastern Conference Finals games have gone OVER the total points line.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Landry Shamet has recorded 62 career rebounds against the Cavaliers—most against any opponent (including playoffs).
- Jordan Clarkson has a career average of 2.3 three-pointers made per game against the Cavaliers—most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Dean Wade ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.5) this season.
- Donovan Mitchell has recorded 157 career assists against the Knicks—equal to the most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Knicks rank 2nd in the league for opponent steals per game this season (7.3).
- The Knicks rank 29th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.9).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (62.2%).
- Cavaliers players have recorded the equal-fewest triple-doubles (0) this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Injury Report
The Cavaliers don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
The Knicks don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Prediction
There’s no betting against the Knicks in their current form, as they’re 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games. The Knicks have been the most consistent and dominant team throughout these NBA playoffs. The Cavs continue to play below their talent level and somehow blew game 1 in historic fashion. The Cavs had a 22-point lead with less than 8 minutes to go and lost. According to ESPN at one point the Knicks had a 0.1 percent chance of winning. The Knicks not only won but also covered the big number. Not sure how the Cavs come back from that. Give me the Knicks and the chalk.