Knicks vs. Cavaliers Eastern Finals Prediction, Odds, Picks, Best Bets for May 21

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Game Info

• Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Venue: Madison Square Garden -- New York City, New York
• Coverage: ESPN

The New York Knicks bring a 1-0 lead into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks are favored by 6.5 points in the matchup, which airs on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. The point total is set at 214.5 for the matchup.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Odds & Spread

All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Prediction & Pick

All NBA win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Knicks win (61.7%)

Knicks vs. Cavaliers Betting Trends

• The Knicks have put together a record of 42-39-1 against the spread this season.
• The Cavaliers have played 82 games, with 33 wins against the spread.
• Knicks games have gone over the total 37 times this season.
• The Cavaliers have hit the over 50% of the time this year (41 of 82 games with a set point total).
• Against the spread, New York has played better when playing at home, covering 27 times in 40 home games, and 15 times in 42 road games.
• The Knicks have exceeded the over/under more often when playing at home, hitting the over in 19 of 40 home matchups (47.5%). In road games, they have hit the over in 18 of 42 games (42.9%).
• Against the spread, Cleveland has been better at home (17-23-1) than away (16-24-1).
• In 2025-26 a lower percentage of the Cavaliers' games have finished above the over/under at home (41.5%, 17 of 41) than away (58.5%, 24 of 41).

Knicks Leaders

• Jalen Brunson is averaging 26 points, 3.3 boards and 6.8 assists. Defensively, he averages 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocked shots.
• Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Mikal Bridges is averaging 14.4 points, 3.8 boards and 3.7 assists. Defensively, he averages 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocked shots.
• OG Anunoby's numbers on the season are 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest, shooting 48.4% from the floor and 38.6% from beyond the arc, with an average of 2.3 made 3-pointers.
• Josh Hart is averaging 12 points, 7.4 boards and 4.8 assists.

Cavaliers Leaders

• Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.9 points, 4.5 boards and 5.7 assists for the Cavaliers.
• James Harden's numbers on the season are 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8 assists per contest. He is sinking 43.4% of his shots from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range, with an average of 3.1 treys (ninth in NBA).
• Evan Mobley's numbers on the season are 18.2 points, 9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. He is making 54.6% of his shots from the floor and 29.7% from beyond the arc, with an average of 1 treys.
• The Cavaliers are getting 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game from Jarrett Allen.
• The Cavaliers get 13.2 points per game from Jaylon Tyson, plus 5.1 boards and 2.2 assists.

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