Cavaliers vs Knicks Picks, Predictions, Player Props & Injuries (Oct 22)

• The Cavaliers are narrow 1.5-point road favorites at the Knicks in the season-opener for both teams
• Injury concerns on both sides – but mostly NYK – dominate the betting narrative
• See my favorite Cavaliers vs Knicks picks and predictions, plus a massive list of player props and injury reports for Oct 22

The recently one-sided Eastern Conference rivalry between the Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18, 30-11 away, 48-33-1 ATS last season) and New York Knicks (51-31, 27-14 home, 40-41-1 ATS) takes center stage at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night (Oct 22). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 pm ET and the Cavaliers, who won every matchup last season, head in as slight road favorites against the injury-riddled Knicks. Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson are confirmed out for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as questionable. Darius Garland is the only significant absence on the Cleveland side.

Below, I have set out (a) my favorite Cavaliers vs Knicks picks (moneyline, total, player prop), (b) the massive list of available player props, (c) the latest Cavaliers vs Knicks odds, and (d) the full injury reports for both teams. Use the links below to navigate to each section of the article.

PICKS || PLAYER PROPS || ODDS || INJURY REPORTS

Cavaliers vs Knicks Picks

This matchup hinges on frontcourt advantages and injury-induced role changes that heavily favor the visiting Cavaliers. New York’s interior depletion, specifically Mitchell Robinson’s confirmed absence, creates a massive mismatch against Cleveland’s twin towers of Mobley and Allen. The Knicks lack the physicality and rebounding presence to contend with Cleveland’s size without their primary rim protector.

Cavs vs Knicks Moneyline Pick: Cavaliers (-118) at FanDuel

The Cavaliers dominated the Knicks last season, winning all four regular-season matchups by an average of 17 points per game. The broader betting trends also strongly support Cleveland in this spot. The Cavaliers’ impressive 4-1 record in their last five as road favorites contrasts sharply with the Knicks’ abysmal 1-12 performance in their last 13 as home underdogs.

Towns’ questionable status compounds New York’s frontcourt problems. Without their versatile big man, the Knicks lose their primary offensive weapon capable of creating mismatches against Cleveland’s defense. Brunson’s playmaking becomes isolated without adequate frontcourt support, limiting New York’s offensive diversity.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Game-Total Pick: Under 229.5 (-122) at BetRivers

The offensive absences outweigh defensive losses in this matchup. Garland’s playmaking void and the potential Towns absence remove significant scoring production, while Cleveland’s methodical pace should grind down possessions and limit transition opportunities.

Cavaliers vs Knicks Player-Prop Pick: J. Allen Over 9.5 Rebounds (-114) at BetRivers

Allen projects to dominate the glass against New York’s depleted frontcourt. Without Hart and Robinson’s rebounding presence, and with Towns potentially sidelined, Cleveland’s center should control both offensive and defensive boards throughout the contest.

Cavs vs Knicks Player Prop Bets

Props as of October 22 at BetMGM.

Mitchell (24.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG last season) has the highest point total at 27.5 O/U, followed closely by Brunson (26.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 7.3 APG) at 25.5 O/U. Despite his uncertain injury status, Towns (24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.1 APG) has the highest rebound total at 11.5 O/U. Without Hart and Robinson – who combined to average 15.5 RPG last year – KAT will have to shoulder an immense burden on the glass for the shorthanded Knicks, if he plays.

Brunson leads the assist props at 7.5 O/U, while Mitchell is at an elevated line of 5.5 O/U due to the absence of point guard Darius Garland, who averaged 6.7 dimes per night last season.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Odds

Late Wednesday morning, the best Cavaliers moneyline is -118 at FanDuel, while bettors can get the Knicks as long as +105 at bet365. The spread is as low as Cleveland -1.5 (-105) at FanDuel and as high as New York +2.5 (-127) at DraftKings. The game total only shows a half-point range: over bettors can get 228 (-110) at Caesars, and under bettors can get 228.5 (-110) at bet365.

The vig-free implied probabilities give Cleveland a 53.4% implied win probability, compared to 46.6% for New York.

Odds commentary as of 10:35 am ET. The lines in the table will update automatically with the best-available price for each market if the NBA odds move before tip-off.

CLE vs NYK Odds Movement

The odds for this matchup have moved about as much as you’ll see in an NBA game, barring the absence of All-NBA First-Teamers. The Knicks initially opened as 4.5-point home favorites, but sharp action has flipped the line completely, now installing Cleveland as road favorites. This six-point swing reflects the market’s reaction to injury news and early betting patterns from respected handicappers.

The total has been bet up slightly after opening at 227.5, now sitting as high as 228.5 at some books.

Public Betting Splits for Cavs/Knicks

• Moneyline: 67% of money and 69% of wagers are on NYK in Wednesday’s NBA public betting splits.
• Spread: 63% of money and 63% of wagers are on CLE.
• Total: 69% of money and 71% of wagers are on the over.

Cavaliers vs Knicks Injury Reports

The confirmed absences create stark advantages for Cleveland’s interior presence. Without Robinson patrolling the paint, Mobley and Allen project to dominate rebounding and rim protection. The absence of Hart, a phenomenal rebounder for a 6’4 guard, compounds the issue.

Towns’ questionable status represents the game’s biggest variable. His presence provides New York’s only viable answer to Cleveland’s frontcourt size, while his absence would leave the Knicks severely overmatched in the paint. Bettors should monitor his pre-game status closely, as it fundamentally alters the competitive balance.