Knicks vs Cavaliers Odds, Lines & Picks (March 31)
- The New York Knicks are 5-point underdogs vs the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night
- Julius Randle (ankle) will miss this game and the rest of the regular season
- Read below for the Knicks vs Cavaliers odds and predictions
It’s a likely preview in the first round of the NBA Playoff Bracket in the East, when the New York Knicks (44-33, 22-16 away) visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (48-29, 30-8 home).
There will be one major omission, however: all-star forward Julius Randle will miss his first game of the season with an ankle injury, with the opening round of the playoffs as his earliest return to action.
New York’s magic number to clinch a top-6 seed and playoff berth is one, after they doused the Miami Heat last game. Cleveland, meanwhile, can finish no lower than fourth. Their 4-game win streak came to an end last game in a loss to the Hawks.
Catch this game Friday (March 31) at 7:30pm ET from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH. You can watch it live on NBA League Pass.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +5 (-110) | +170 | OFF |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -5 (-110) | -200 | OFF |
Despite the 4th-best road win total in the Association, the NBA odds have the Knicks as 5-point road underdogs, and +170 on the moneyline, just a win probability of 37.04%.
Sitting in the 5-spot, New York is 2.5 games up on the 6th-place Nets, and four games clear of the Miami Heat and the play-in fray.
At 30-8 at home, Cleveland is tied with the Bucks for the best home record in the East.
SPORTSBOOK
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + a No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day!
Odds as of Mar 30 at DraftKings. See the latest on Ohio sports betting.
New York Betting Analysis
While their 101-92 win over Miami was a massive step to locking up a playoff berth, losing Randle hurts.
The big man has been averaging 25.1 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game this season, and is a big reason New York has bounced back from a disappointing campaign last year.
Julius Randle — one of the iron men of the NBA — goes down in agony, is able to shoot free throws, then heads to locker room pic.twitter.com/MYvJ3NkakS
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 30, 2023
In his absence against the Heat, Immanuel Quickley led the scoring attack with 24 points, four assists and three steals off the bench. Quentin Grimes led the starters with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Jalen Brunson had just 12 points, two boards and three assists, while RJ Barrett also potted a dozen, with five boards. These two will likely be counted on as the main offensive options, while Obi Toppin should get a big boost in minutes.
It’s been tough sledding for their 2020 first round pick, who’s buried behind Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein on the depth chart, crossing 20 minutes played just once in 2023.
Cleveland Betting Analysis
The Cavaliers have been off since Tuesday, but they’re still going to be shorthanded Friday. Center Jarrett Allen (groin) is doubtful, while Isaac Okoro (knee) and Danny Green (illness) have already been ruled out. Dean Wade (illness) has been listed as probable.
Minus those contributors, Cleveland still came close in a 120-118 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Donovan Mitchell did everything he could to pull out the win, draining 44 points, while adding five rebounds and five assists.
Donovan Mitchell showed out tonight 🔥
44 points
5 rebounds
5 assists
5 threesCavs fell to Atlanta in a close one pic.twitter.com/4WgPtwY7xe
— NBA (@NBA) March 29, 2023
Darius Garland was also stellar, going for 27 points, and five dimes, while Evan Mobley scored 20, adding 15 boards, six assists and four blocks as each of their three stars topped 40+ minutes.
Cleveland will be looking to end their4-game season series against New York with a split after dropping two straight. The most recent was a 105-103 loss on January 24. The Knicks also put the clamps on the Cavs on December 4, winning 92-81 — Cleveland’s lowest-scoring output of the season.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Betting Prediction
Two in-game matchups should determine this outcome as strength battles strength. The Knicks are third in the NBA in second-chance points (16.2), while Cleveland allows the 2nd-fewest (12.1).
Conversely, the Cavaliers feast on turnovers, converting those into 19.4 points per game, a top-3 mark. New York commits the 4th-fewest turnovers in the NBA, and allow 15.3 points off turnovers, also a top-4 mark.
Cleveland is a great home bet, going 24-13-1 against the spread this year, second only to the Golden State Warriors. As betting underdogs, the Knicks hold their own, going 22-16-1 ATS. And they thrive against top-tier competition, running a 10-3 ATS mark in their last 13 vs teams with a winning mark above .600.
Still, the Randle loss means a lot. While Topping will eventually find his way at the 4-spot, this first game is going to be jarring for the Knicks.
Pick:
- Cavaliers -5 (-110); 1.5 units to win 1.36 units
- NBA Betting Record: 36-34-1 ATS, 2-2 ML, 8-0 o/u, 0-3 parlays; -7.17 units
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 INSTANTLY & A NO SWEAT NBA SGP EVERY DAY!
- FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 GUARANTEED!
- BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS!
- CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,000 BACK - ON CAESARS!
- BET365 SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 IN BONUS BETS!
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.
