Two of the biggest offseason acquisitions in the NBA try to get their teams off to a series lead when Jalen Brunson and the Knicks visit Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers in the first round of their Eastern Conference playoff matchup. New York has won three in a row in the head to head series after a 121-108 loss in Cleveland back in October, so do the Knicks have value getting 5 points here?
Before Betting on Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 1
The biggest question for the Knicks isn’t going to be Brunson, who was great this year with a career high 24.0 ppg, but rather it’s the health of Julius Randle who averaged 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, but is also questionable with an ankle injury. Randle will likely be in the lineup for Game 1, but how healthy?
Cleveland got 28.3 ppg from Mitchell this season as he was granted his exodus from Utah in the offseason, but it’s their front line that could be the difference in this series. Evan Mobley (16.2/9.0) and Jarrett Allen (14.3/9.8) should have a field day here especially if Randle is not 100%.
Cleveland was 31-10 at home this season, and the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse should be electric as the team plays in a postseason series without Lebron James for the first time since 1998.
New York vs Cleveland NBA Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Knicks (2.80) | Cavs (1.47) | 217 | Knicks +5 (1.95) | Cavs -5 (1.87) |
| Bovada | Knicks (2.80) | Cavs (1.45) | 217 | Knicks +5 (1.95) | Cavs -5 (1.87) |
| BetUS | Knicks (2.80) | Cavs (1.46) | 217 | Knicks +5.5 (1.91) | Cavs -5.5 (1.91) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Knicks (2.80) | Cavs (1.47) | 217 | Knicks +5 (1.95) | Cavs -5 (1.87) |
| Pinnacle | Knicks (2.87) | Cavs (1.47) | 217 | Knicks +5 (1.94) | Cavs -5 (1.96) |
| MyBookie | Knicks (2.80) | Cavs (1.45) | 217 | Knicks +5.5 (1.91) | Cavs -5 (1.91) |
Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 1 Prediction & Pick
Brunson and Mitchell will both be great in this game and in this series, but it’s Cleveland that has a deeper team even if they don’t have the recent playoff experience that the Knicks roster does. Home court gives the Cavs the cover in Game 1.
