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The Best Player Props & Picks for Cavaliers vs Knicks (Game 1)

Eric Rosales

By Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Published:


Jalen Brunson pointing
May 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
  • The Cavaliers and Knicks battle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday
  • New York guard Jalen Brunson is the second-highest scorer still standing the playoffs
  • Read below for the latest Cavaliers vs Knicks player prop odds and my favorite picks

Madison Square Garden should be rocking Tuesday night, as the New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, with the series winner playing for the NBA Championship.

Fresh off a gruelling 7-game series win over the Pistons, the books aren’t giving Cleveland a great shot, as they are heavy 7-point road underddogs in the NBA odds.

They’ll have to face the NBA’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs in Jalen Brunson, who definitely figures into my player prop bets for Game 1.

Read below for a list of Cavaliers vs Knicks odds, from their NBA starting lineups to the reserves, followed by my best bets.

Cavaliers vs Knicks Player-Prop Odds

PlayerPointsReboundsAssistsMade Threes
Jalen Brunson27.5 -112/-1173.5 +124/-1656.5 +110/-1462.5 -101/-132
Karl-Anthony Towns18.5 -108/-12011.5 +104/-1374.5 -134/+1021.5 +137/-183
OG Anunoby16.5 -116/-1115.5 -117/-1131.5 +125/-1672.5 +145/-196
Mikal Bridges12.5 -126/-1043.5 +129/-1732.5 -121/-1111.5 -107/-123
Josh Hart11.5 -110/-1198.5 -110/-1204.5 -124/-1071.5 -110/-121
Donovan Mitchell26.5 -110/-1194.5 -101/-1313.5 -156/+1172.5 -157/+118
James Harden19.5 -126/-1054.5 -112/-1176.5 -122/-1092.5 +102/-135
Evan Mobley14.5 -116/-1138.5 +104/-1383.5 -130/-1021.5 +163/-223
Jarrett Allen12.5 -106/-1237.5 -115/-1151.5 +149/-200N/A
Max Strus8.5 -103/-1284.5 -108/-1231.5 -178/+1332.5 +121/-161

Odds as of May 19. Claim the Bet365 promo code to bet on the Cavs vs Knicks. And be sure to get all the stats and data you need to make smart NBA player-prop bets with the NBA Player Props optimizer.

Cavaliers vs Knicks Prop Pick #1: Jalen Brunson Points

Pick 1: Brunson Over 27.5 Points (-105 at bet365)

While Brunson produced a solid baseline of 26.0 points per game in the regular season, he lights the lamp when the stakes are highest. Throughout the postseason, Brunson is averaging a robust 27.4 points through 10 games, with only OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring more per game in these playoffs and still standing.

NBA Playoff Scoring Leaders

PlayerScoring Average
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander29.1
Cade Cunningham28.1
Jalen Brunson27.4
Paolo Banchero26.3
Dillon Brooks26.0
Nikola Jokic25.8
Jaylen Brown25.7
Donovan Mitchell25.6

More importantly, his situational splits at home are ridiculous. Brunson has eclipsed this 27.5 points mark in 4 of his 5 home playoff games, cashing at an 80% clip. He is averaging a staggering 31.4 points in those Madison Square Garden appearances.

Given Cleveland surrenders 108.8 points per game in the playoffs and struggles to defend the perimeter, Brunson’s aggressive downhill drives make his over 27.5 points a premier wager.

CLE Cavaliers vs NY Knicks Prop Pick #2: Jarrett Allen Rebounds

Pick 2: Allen Under 7.5 Rebounds (-115 at bet365)

Fading Cleveland’s primary big man on the glass is a matchup-driven play rooted in New York’s historic rebounding dominance.

Allen grabbed 8.9 rebounds per game in away matchups during the regular season, but his production has completely tanked in the playoffs.

He is currently averaging just 7.3 rebounds across 14 playoff games, and a sluggish 6.8 rebounds per game over his last five outings.

With Allen going under this 7.5 threshold in four of his last five games, and the Knicks absolutely suffocating second-chance opportunities, while having to bang with big bodies like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, I’ll stay Under the total in Game 1.

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Eric Rosales
Eric Rosales

Sports Writer & Editor

Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.

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