Cavs vs Knicks Predictions, Picks & Betting Splits for Game 1

• The Knicks are 6.5-point favorites in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final versus the Cavs
• New York is 5-1 ATS after a win in their last six games
• See the best Cavs vs Knicks predictions, picks and betting splits for Game 1, below

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final goes down tonight, with the Cavs visiting the Knicks. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden, with this heavyweight clash being broadcast on ESPN.

Following a sweep of the 76ers, the Knicks look to protect their home court as a sturdy favorite in the NBA odds. Powered by Jalen Brunson’s dynamic scoring and Karl-Anthony Towns’ versatile presence, the Knicks will try to set the tone early.

The Cavaliers roll into the Garden with massive momentum after a decisive 31-point blowout win in Game 7 of their 2nd Round series versus the Pistons. Backed by Donovan Mitchell’s explosive offense and Evan Mobley’s glass-cleaning abilities, the Cavaliers are a real threat.

Below, you’ll find the best Cavs vs Knicks predictions and picks for Game 1, along with the odds and latest betting splits.

Cavs vs Knicks Predictions & Picks for Game 1

• Knicks -6.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
• OVER 217.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
• Jalen Brunson OVER 27.5 Points (-112 at DraftKings)

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My top two bets tonight are the Knicks -6.5, and over 217.5. While the Cavaliers have proven to be giant slayers recently, their spread value away from home has completely fallen off a cliff. The Cavaliers have covered the spread in only 28.6% of their away playoff games. Meanwhile, Madison Square Garden is a remarkably tough environment.

The Knicks have been incredibly reliable against the spread in this exact scenario. The Knicks are a highly profitable 5-1 (83.3%) ATS after a win over their last six games.

If there is one glaring trend pointing me in a specific direction for Game 1, it is the over. The Knicks have been heavily prone to high-scoring affairs when expected to win, with the over cashing in four of their last five games as a favorite.

Cavs vs Knicks Playoff Stats

When breaking down the NBA starting lineups, the most glaring mismatch heading into this series is the Knicks’ incredible shooting efficiency compared to the Cavaliers’ volume-based approach. The Knicks are connecting on a postseason-leading 51.7% of their field goals and 40.8% from beyond the arc.

The Cavaliers actually attempt more three-pointers per game (37.1) but convert them at a much lower 34.0% clip. This offensive dominance directly supports my overarching over 217.5 prediction. The Knicks are pouring in 120.4 points per game while playing at a moderately slow pace (95.5).

That halfcourt precision is largely orchestrated by Brunson. Considering the Knicks lead the playoffs in Assist to Turnover ratio (2.0), while the Cavaliers struggle to protect the ball (1.3 ratio, ranked 14th), Brunson will exploit defensive gaps all night.

The physical battle in the trenches also heavily favors the home team. The Knicks boast the best Total Rebound Percentage (56.0%) in the postseason, creating a league-leading 17.6 second-chance points per game. Towns has been instrumental here, and the ability to keep possessions alive make New York an intriguing NBA Championship odds contender.

With the game total strongly pointing toward the over, backing Brunson to clear 27.5 points is showing up as a value in our NBA player prop analyzer. Considering the massive volume of usage he shoulders and his elite halfcourt execution, the over presents excellent betting value. He’s cleared this line in four of five home playoff games so far, and I expect him to shoot the lights out tonight.

Cavs vs Knicks Odds for Game 1

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Cavs vs Knicks Betting Splits for Game 1

When analyzying the NBA public betting splits, the spread market features an interesting divide between the ticket count and the actual money. The Cavaliers have garnered 53.6% of the spread bets as road underdogs, but the Knicks command the majority of the handle with 51.0% of the total stake. The larger wagers are comfortable laying the points with the home favorites.

As for the totals market, there is virtually no debate. A staggering 95.6% of the bets and an even larger 97.3% of the money are backing the Over. Casual fans and big-money players are united in expecting an offensive showcase.