Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction and odds for Game 2 (Knicks undervalued again)

The New York Knicks stole Game 1 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, and they’re looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead on Tuesday night.

The Cavs are favored by five points again at home, and the team is certainly going to be playing with a sense of urgency to avoid heading to New York down 2-0.

New York had 17 offensive rebounds in Game 1, coming up with some huge extra possessions down the stretch to clinch the game. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks, and New York weathered a 38-point game from Donovan Mitchell.

Vegas doesn’t seem to believe in the Knicks, who have beaten the Cavs in four straight matchups this season and four of the five times these two teams have played.

How should we bet on this Game 2 matchup?

Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds, spread and total

Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction and pick

New York’s bench dominated Game 1, and the crazy thing is, the Knicks could play even better.

RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes shot a combined 3-for-21 in the game, so there is plenty of room for improvement for the Knicks on offense.

Cleveland is likely going to shoot a little better in Game 2, but the Knicks just dominated the minutes when Mitchell was off the floor in Game 1. Plus, New York saw Jalen Brunson (foul trouble) play sparingly in the first half.

The Knicks aren’t going to sweep this series (I wouldn’t be mad if they did), so this is going to be a tough game to win on the road.

However, five points is a ton to give a Cleveland team that hasn’t beaten New York since October!

The Knicks are one of the best teams on the road against the spread all season, so I’ll take the points with the Knicks in what should be a grind-it-out game on Tuesday.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

• Published on 04/17/2023 at 5:37 PM EDT
• Last updated on 04/17/2023 at 5:37 PM EDT