Cavaliers vs Knicks Betting Preview: New York Slight Favorites
Teams Battle in Big Apple for Crucial Game 3
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks betting preview sees New York favored by 2. The total on the game is down to 211 and New York is -130 on the moneyline. The price on Cleveland is +110. The total in Game 1 opened at 217.5 before being bet down to 215.5. The 211 is also 2.5-points lower than the Game 2 total. So if you want to follow the under trend you’re going to pay a little bit with a lower number.
The Knicks were home underdogs in both games against Cleveland that were played in New York during the NBA standings 2023. The Knicks were 12-14-1 against the spread as a home favorite during the year. New York went 7-5-1 ATS as a home underdog in the regular season.
The Cavs were just 7-10 as an away underdog this season and 13-10-1 as a road favorite. Cleveland was 27-23-1 ATS following a win, while New York was 16-18-1 after a loss against the spread.
Date & Time:
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Streaming: ABC
Rebound Winner Taking Wins
Game 2 saw the trend of the team winning the rebounding battle also winning the game. After being destroyed by New York on the glass in Game 1, Cleveland held a 43-36 rebounding edge. If Cleveland plans on stealing one in New York, it needs to rebound.
Turnovers Take a Toll
Those who bet the over were victimized by poor shooting from the Knicks. But also due to some sloppy play. Both teams had 17 turnovers in Game 2. This season, games involving two teams with at least 17 turnovers were 44-52-1 in totals. Those missed possessions have ended up costing over bettors in the end.
LeVert Turns it Around
Caris LeVert was as bad as you can be in Game 1. He was 1 of 7 from the field, finishing with three points. It was a completely different story in Game 2. LeVert had 24 points on 9 of 16 shooting, four rebounds and three assists. He was a big part of Cleveland knotting up the series at one game apiece. Thanks to LeVert’s +23 rating, the Cleveland bench finished with an even rating. The Cavs’ bench was -36 in Game 1.
Knicks Have History on Their Side
The Cavaliers vs Knicks betting preview shows the Knicks have a significant betting trend working in their favor. Home playoff favorites who won two games as an away underdog and then lost as an away underdog are 50-11 straight-up when favored at home. These teams are also 37-23-1 against the spread.
Handicapping Game 3
There’s no doubt Game 3 is going to be huge. According to the NBA, “Teams that win Game 3 of a 1-1 best-of-seven series go on to win the series 73.3% of the time.” You know both teams will bring their best effort. If both teams play to their capabilities, Cleveland gets a slight nod. But that seldom happens in the NBA.
Both teams need a non-star to come up with a clutch performance. Josh Hart was big for the Knicks in Game 1 and LeVert helped the Cavaliers get the win in Game 2. The stars for both teams are going to get their share of points. It’s keeping somebody else from lighting up the scoreboard that’s key for both teams.
The first two games have followed the pattern between these teams all season. Whoever gets the rebounds and forces turnovers is going to win. While the teams had an equal amount of turnovers, the +7 in rebounding for Cleveland was its biggest margin yet this year against the Knicks.
This could be the most competitive of the three playoff games on Friday. Bettors will likely be switching channels to keep track of the NBA latest scores, but this one could be a decent game to watch. There isn’t a huge talent difference between the two teams.
The Cavaliers vs Knicks betting preview gives Cleveland the slightest of edges in overall talent. But the betting trend of home favorites off two games as away underdogs is hard to ignore. While it’s a big game for both teams, it’s probably a little more important for New York to get the win in Game 3. That would take some of the pressure off in Game 4. It’s a tough one to call, but we would have to give New York -2 a slight lean in this one.
For NBA betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
