Knicks vs Cavaliers Picks and Predictions: Spida Shines Under MSG Lights

The Cleveland Cavaliers look to keep their hot streak going on Sunday as they host a New York Knicks team with its own playoff hopes.

The Cavs (4-1) are coming off a statement overtime win against the Boston Celtics on Friday, proving they belong in any conversation about Eastern Conference contenders. With four straight victories, this is a young team on the rise.

The Knicks have a lower ceiling, but they’ve been steady through the opening weeks with Jalen Brunson settling in as the team’s new point guard. Their schedule is about to get much tougher though, starting with this road test.

Check out our free NBA picks and predictions for Cavaliers vs. Knicks.

Knicks vs Cavaliers best odds

Knicks vs Cavaliers picks and predictions

If the chips had fallen differently this summer, Donovan Mitchell could have been wearing the Knicks’ blue and orange for this showdown. Instead, the Cavs swooped in – and that storyline is sure to loom large on Sunday.

Mitchell’s impact in Cleveland has been exactly as advertised. He’s averaging 31 points per game so far this season, headlined by a stellar 41-point outing in Boston, and is giving the Cavs the crunch-time scoring they desperately needed.

For months, it had seemed like the perfect pairing: Mitchell and the bright lights of New York... until it wasn’t. With his love for the big stage, I expect Mitchell to try to prove a point against the Knicks, serving up a compelling case for why New York should have done more to land him during the offseason. 

The task of slowing him down will likely fall to Brunson and R.J. Barrett, but Mitchell is fresh off slicing through Boston’s highly-rated defense. New York doesn’t have a defender who can handle him one-on-one, so Tom Thibodeau will have to get creative with his schemes.

With Darius Garland sidelined by an eye injury, Mitchell has also absorbed more of the playmaking load – with impressive results. The former Utah Jazz All-Star dished out eight assists in the win over the Chicago Bulls in the opening week, then repeated the trick against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Look for Mitchell to lead the way again for the Cavs here, carving up a Knicks defense that has allowed 114.6 points a game in its first five outings.

My best bet: Donovan Mitchell Over 34.5 points + assists (-110)

Knicks vs Cavaliers spread analysis

The Cavs already have a pair of double-digit home victories under their belt this season – and they are good value to cover this spread, especially with the strength of their defense. Cleveland is allowing the second-fewest points per game in the NBA (105.2).

Offensively, Mitchell won’t be doing it alone either. Caris LeVert matched his new teammate with 41 points against the Celtics, while Evan Mobley is averaging almost 16 points per game. With a well-balanced roster, the Cavs have a +11.8 point differential through five games, tied for the best mark in the league. 

The Knicks have made a promising start to the season, but don’t overlook the fact that their three wins came against the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets. Stepping up several levels to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, New York was brushed aside.

Bench scoring has been a strength for the visitors (45 points a night), with a lot resting on the shoulders of Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley, but I like Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, and the rest of the Cavs’ second unit to hold their own and ease the hosts to another win.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Over/Under analysis

It’s still the first month of the season, but the Cavs have quickly made their mark as one of the league’s stingiest defenses, with Jarrett Allen and Mobley patrolling the paint. It’s the type of rim protection that always keeps the Under in play.

Mitchell Robinson plays a similar defensive role for the Knicks but continues to be plagued by foul trouble. If he can stay on the floor, New York should at least force tougher shots for the Cavs’ scorers.

The Knicks have scored freely against shakier opponents, but it is tough to count on their offense to hit a big number with Julius Randle still blowing hot and cold at that end of the floor. He had 14 points on 3-for-10 shooting against the Bucks.

Given all the effort Cleveland put into its overtime thriller in Boston, don’t be surprised if the hosts look a little heavy-legged. I’m leaning towards the Under, particularly with Garland still out.

Knicks vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The Under is 6-0 in the Knicks’ last six Sunday games and 9-4-1 in the teams’ past 14 meetings in Cleveland. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Cavaliers.

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