Knicks vs Cavaliers Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NBA Playoffs Game 1 (Expect a Close-Fought Battle in Cleveland)

The 2022-23 NBA Playoffs officially begin this weekend, bringing much excitement to the basketball world. The No. 5 New York Knicks (47-35) and No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) begin their first-round series with Game 1 taking place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday, April 15.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 1 Info

• Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse -- Cleveland, Ohio
• Coverage: ESPN

The Cavaliers are out for revenge after the Knicks won three of the four regular-season matchups between these two teams. Cleveland won the first encounter back in October, only to lose three straight with the latest defeat being a 130-116 loss at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse back on March 31.

Can the Cavaliers get revenge for the regular season by emerging victorious from Game 1? Or will the Knicks prove that they have the home team's number?

Knicks vs Cavaliers Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: NYK: (+184) | CLE: (-220)
• Spread: NYK: +6 (-114) | CLE: -6 (-106)
• Total: 214 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Cavaliers enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 6 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 214 points with both sides available at -110 odds. 

Knicks vs Cavaliers Betting Trends

• New York is 5-2 straight up in its last seven games.
• Cleveland is 12-5 straight up in its last 17 games.
• New York is 5-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven road games against Cleveland.
• Cleveland is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games played on Saturday.
• The total has hit the under in four of New York's last six games against Cleveland.
• The total has hit the under in four of Cleveland's last five home games.

Knicks vs Cavaliers Prediction & Pick

If the Cavaliers are to succeed as the favorite, they must shut down the Knicks' attack. New York is averaging a whopping 123.6 points on 50.9% shooting over the last seven games. Fortunately, Cleveland's defense has been just as strong, holding its last four opponents to a 104.5 PPG clip.

The Cavaliers have also been strong at home over the last several weeks, winning six of their latest nine outings at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. That's bad news for the Knicks, who have lost three of their last four trips to Cleveland while being held to 108 or fewer points in all three losses.

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I expect a highly competitive game, but the Cavaliers' defense and a roaring home crowd should give them the advantage. Expect Cleveland to exact some revenge for the regular-season series.

Final Score Prediction: Cavaliers: 115 | Knicks: 112

Knicks vs Cavaliers Best Bet

Even though I see the Cavaliers winning, I'm going with the Knicks on the spread as the best bet. New York has been playing solid basketball lately, covering the spread in all but two of its last seven outings. The Knicks have also covered in nine of their previous meetings with the Cavs, as well as in five of their last seven trips to Cleveland.

With the Cavaliers being an unimpressive 1-3-1 ATS in its last five outings this season, the Knicks are in a good spot to keep things closer than expected.

Bet: Knicks +6 (-114)

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.