Knicks vs. Cavaliers Picks, Prediction Today
Here's everything you need to know about Knicks vs Cavs with our Knicks vs Cavaliers picks and prediction today for Tuesday's NBA on TNT doubleheader.
The 1-2 Knicks travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Can the Knicks overcome a short-handed Cleveland team? Or will Donovan Mitchell find a way to carry his squad to victory?
Pick: Knicks to Cover the Spread
A lot of the blame for the Knicks' poor start can centered around Julius Randle. Randle has played the most minutes and has the second-highest usage rate on the team. He's averaging a whopping 13.7 points per game and is shooting 27.7% from the field and 30% from 3. He's been a black hole on offense and his shots aren't falling. The Knicks appear to be the same as they were last year, when Randle and RJ Barrett would soak up the majority of the minutes, despite being the least efficient players on the team.
Randle attempted 22 shots in the Knicks home opener, while Quentin Grimes has attempted 22 shots on the season. Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart come in the game and provide a defensive spark off the bench, but both are limited to less than 25 minutes per game for some reason. The Knicks are painfully mediocre and have just enough offensive rebounding production to get by in the regular season. Fortunately for the Knicks, they will be able to exploit the Cavaliers on the glass as Jarrett Allen will miss this game. Evan Mobley has been playing the five in Allen's absence and we all saw how the Knicks bullied both Mobley and Allen on the glass in last year's postseason. The Knicks rank fourth in the NBA in offensive rebound rate this season.
The Cavaliers added Max Strus and Georges Niang in the offseason to address the lack of reliable perimeter shooting surrounding Darius Garland and Mitchell. Strus' addition is already paying dividends as he's averaging 18.7 points and nine rebounds per game. He's also shooting 39.4% from 3. The Cavaliers will need him to knock down shots as the Knicks tend to give up a lot of 3's. The Knicks prioritize taking away the rim over running shooters off the 3-point line.
I’d expect Dean Wade, Strus and Niang to get off lots of clean looks, so exploring their 3-point props and ladders could be interesting. I’d also be looking at Mitchell’s assists line as he'll likely play north of 36 minutes if he's able to go. Mitchell averaged 7.2 assists per game in the playoffs against the Knicks, but that while splitting usage with Garland. With Garland out, Mitchell should be well set up to record a double-double.
Pick: Knicks ATS |
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Knicks vs Cavaliers Picks, Odds
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 213.5 -110o / -110u | -140 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 213.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
With all of the injuries to the Cavaliers, I lean toward the Knicks. The Cavaliers have no ball handlers outside of Mitchell as Garland, Ricky Rubio and Ty Jerome are all injured. Cleveland is devoid of reliable depth and the Knicks' bench should dominate. Even if New York struggles during the Randle and Barrett minutes, its bench should dominate Cleveland's bench. Back the Knicks in this spot.
