The Cleveland Cavaliers head to the Big Apple on Friday night to face the New York Knicks. With neither team having much to play for in this late-season game, I'm getting creative with my Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions.
See why I'm betting on a team total with my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference clash on April 11.
Cavaliers vs Knicks prediction
My best bet: Cavaliers 1Q team total Over 27.5 (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched the top seed in the East while the New York Knicks will have either the No. 3 or 4 seed.
The Cavs lost to the Pacers 114-112 last night but it was an impressive performance when you consider that they sat four starters, including their Top 3 scorers.
Donovan Mitchell remains sidelined but Darius Garland is probable tonight while Max Strus and Defensive Player of Year favorite Evan Mobley are available. Top reserves De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome combined for 47 points against Indiana but will be given tonight off.
The Knicks are also coming off a loss last night, falling 115-106 in Detroit. The Knicks weren't as shorthanded as the Cavs but they were missing a pair of starters in Josh Hart and OG Anunoby. Hart and Anunoby are questionable again today, along with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
It's tough to know what the Knicks lineup will look like tonight but Cleveland will likely have four starters, including All-Stars Garland and Mobley.
I'm wary of backing the Cavs because they rested Jarret Allen in the second half yesterday while benching Hunter and Jerome in the fourth quarter. That said, I like them to get off to a fast start. With the Cavs second in the NBA in first quarter points per game (31.3), back them to eclipse their 1Q team total of 27.5.
Cavaliers vs Knicks same-game parlay
Cavaliers 1Q team total Over 27.5
Isaac Okoro 10+ points
Jarrett Allen 3+ rebounds 1Q
With Mitchell and Hunter ruled out, Isaac Okoro will likely start on the wing and should see a decent workload. He logged 31 minutes last night and went 5-for-11 from the field for 13.
Allen was pulled at the half yesterday but still finished with 10 boards in just 16 minutes. The center is ninth in the league in first quarter rebounds per game (3.1) and should hit this mark early.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Cavaliers vs Knicks odds
Cavaliers vs Knicks live odds
Cavaliers vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Cleveland +10.5 | New York -10.5
- Moneyline: Cleveland +375 | New York -500
- Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227
Odds courtesy of bet365
Cavaliers vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Cavs opened at +10.5 but the spread came down to +7.5 after the Knicks injury report was released.
- After the Cavs released their own injury report at 2:00 p.m. ET, the spread came in even further to +1 while the total moved down to 224.5.
- The Knicks are 50-30 and have gone 2-3 straight up and 3-2 against the spread in their last five contests.
- The Cavs have the best record in the East at 63-17 but have gone 7-7 SU and 5-9 ATS in their last 14 games.
Cavaliers vs Knicks trend
The Cavaliers have hit the Over in 52 of their last 82 games (+19.00 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Friday, 4-11-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBA TV |
Cavaliers vs Knicks latest injuries
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