Knicks vs. Cavs: Best Bets and Predictions for Monday Night

Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS) vs. New York Knicks (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)

When: Monday, October 28th, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: Madison Square Garden, NY, New York

TV: MSG

Point Spread: Cle +2.5/NY -2.5

Total: 221.5

Money Line: Cleveland Cavaliers +121/-142

Notable Injuries

Cavaliers

• Max Strus (Out) Ankle

Knicks

• Josh Hart (Questionable) Ankle
• Mitchell Robinson (Out) Ankle
• Precious Achiuwa (Out) Hamstring
• Miles McBride (Probable) Knee

At 7:30 ET, the 3-0 Cleveland Cavaliers (+121) will travel to take on the 1-1 New York Knicks (-142) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Knicks are currently favored by 2.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 221.5.

This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York and can be seen on MSG.

Recent Form

The Cavaliers improved to 3-0 on the season with a 135-116 win over the Wizards on Saturday. Cleveland, favored by 9.5 points, covered the spread with the 19-point victory. The game’s total of 251 points went well over the pre-game line of 227.5.

Cleveland’s 12-0 run turned a 61-55 deficit into a 67-61 lead, and they never looked back. They outscored Washington 38-28 in the 3rd quarter and 38-35 in the 4th to close out the win.

The Knicks evened their record at 1-1 with a decisive 123-98 win over the Pacers on Friday. Playing at home, New York entered the game as -4.5 point favorites and covered the spread comfortably. The total points for the game came in at 221, falling short of the 228.5 O/U line.

After a tight 1st quarter, the Knicks took control by outscoring the Pacers 36-21 in the 2nd quarter and 34-19 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th quarter with a commanding 95-64 lead before the Pacers outscored them 34-28 in the final period.

The Historicals

Across the previous five meetings between the teams, the Knicks have an average scoring margin of +8 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 4-1. In these contests, they averaged a combined 196 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 0-5.

Analysis

Donovan Mitchell knocked down six threes and finished with 30 points and five assists, shooting 61.1% from the field in the Cavaliers’ win over the Wizards. He was especially effective in the 4th quarter, scoring 13 points. Darius Garland also contributed 23 points, hitting four threes at an 80% clip, while Jarrett Allen was perfect from the field, adding 23 points of his own.

Cleveland connected on 18 threes as a team, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc and 53.4% overall. Ty Jerome added 12 of his 14 points in the final period, and Sam Merrill chipped in 6 of his 11 points in the 4th quarter as well.

Defensively, the Cavaliers held the Wizards to 116 points on 38% shooting, despite a rough 4th quarter where they gave up 35 points. Cleveland allowed 25 points in the 1st quarter, followed by 28 in both the 2nd and 3rd.

From beyond the arc, the Wizards hit 15 threes at a 34% clip. Cleveland sent Washington to the line 32 times, with the Wizards converting 27. The Cavaliers finished with 13 steals and ten blocks.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to a 135-point performance against the Wizards, hitting six threes at 54.5% and finishing with 30 points, including 13 in the 4th quarter. Jarrett Allen was perfect from the field, scoring 23 points, while Darius Garland also added 23, shooting 80% from deep with four made threes.

Cleveland connected on 18 threes as a team, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc and 53.4% overall. Ty Jerome contributed 12 of his 14 points in the 4th quarter, and Sam Merrill added 6 of his 11 points in the final period.

Despite giving up 34 points in the 4th quarter, the Knicks held the Pacers to just 98 points in their win on Friday. New York’s defense was especially strong in the 3rd quarter, allowing only 19 points. Overall, the Knicks gave up 24 points in the 1st quarter and 21 in the 2nd.

New York’s defense was excellent from beyond the arc, holding the Pacers to just 3 made threes on 10% shooting. The Knicks also sent Indiana to the line 20 times, where they made 13 free throws. On the boards, New York grabbed 32 defensive rebounds while allowing nine offensive boards. The Knicks also recorded five steals and four blocks.

Betting Trends

• Across their ten previous road games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 3-7 while averaging 106 points per game.
• In their last ten games at home, the Knicks have a straight-up record of 5-5 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 110 points per game in this stretch.
• Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Cavaliers have a strong record vs the spread, going 2-1. Their straight-up mark in these contests is 0-3.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Knicks have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight-up mark of 2-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Tonight, we have one of the better up-and-coming rivalries in the Eastern Conference, as the Cavs are on the road to face the Knicks. Right now, the Knicks are -2.5 point favorites at home over the undefeated Cavaliers. So far, the Cavaliers have put together some solid defensive efforts, but they also have had a pretty weak schedule to start the year. The Knicks will be their toughest test of the season, and I expect the Knicks’ offensive options to give Cleveland some problems. I’m taking the Knicks at -2.5.