New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/15/2023

Game Time: 6:00 pm ET, Saturday, April 15, 2023

Venue:  Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Knicks +6, Cavaliers -6; Over/Under:  214.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Knicks +6, Cavaliers -6; Over/Under:  214.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Knicks +6.5, Cavaliers -6.5; Over/Under:  214.5 points

New York Knicks:  47-35 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)

Cleveland Cavaliers:  51-31 (2nd place, Central Division)

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New York Knicks:  5-5 last 10

Cleveland Cavaliers:  7-3 last 10

The Knicks finished the regular season with a 47-35 record overall and they were 24-17 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Indiana Pacers in their last game. Obi Toppin led the team in points in that game with 34 while Immanuel Quickley was next on the team with 30 points. Immanuel Quickley led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Mitchell Robinson led the team in rebounds with 20. They were 48.1% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 77.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113.1 PPG against them. The Knicks have an ATS record of 44-34-4 this season and their O/U record is 43-37-2.

The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 51-31 record overall and they were 31-10 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Charlotte Hornets in their last game. Sam Merrill led the team in points in that game with 17 while Danny Green and Raul Neto each were next on the team with 13 points. Ricky Rubio led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jarrett Allen led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 39.3% from the field, 27% from 3-point range, and 93.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 112.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 106.9 PPG against them. The Cavaliers have an ATS record of 42-36-4 this season and their O/U record is 40-42.

The current betting odds have the Cavaliers listed as a 6 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 1 of a 7-game series between the 4th seeded Cavaliers and the 5th seeded Knicks for the 1st round of the playoffs in the NBA Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 51-31 record overall making them one of the best teams in the entire NBA while the Knicks were 47-35 overall, not as good but still had a really good season. The Knicks were also a really good road team this year with their 24-17 road record but the Cavaliers were incredible at home all season with their 31-10 home record. Both of these teams weren't playing great near the end of the season as they were resting their starters and they both have a lot of injuries coming into this one, but the Cavaliers will be healthier as the Knicks are still missing a key player in their lineup and that is going to play a big part against the Cavs since they have been so strong at home all year. The Knicks have improved a lot this year but they still have the same core group as previous years and they have not had a lot of success in playoff games lately while the Cavaliers have been building this team that went from nothing to one of the best in the East with the acquisition of a superstar in Donovan Mitchell and he has plenty of playoff experience from his days with the Jazz so he will lead this team to a big win in their 1st game of the playoffs. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cavaliers to cover the spread in this game. 

Knicks Cavaliers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, April 15, 2023 (6:00 pm ET start time) is Cavaliers 117 Knicks 107.

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New York Knicks: 26-14 ATS in road games. 7-0 ATS after scoring 136 points or more. 11-6 UNDER after scoring 136 points or more. 30-22 UNDER in a road game where the total is 210 to 219.5.

Cleveland Cavaliers: 8-22 ATS off a double digit loss as a favorite of 6 points or more. 11-23 ATS after scoring 95 points or less. 21-11 UNDER off an upset loss as a favorite. 14-7 UNDER in a home game where the total is 210 to 219.5.

New York Knicks:  J. Brunson (PG) Ques Sat - Hand. T. Keels (SG) Ques Sat - Illness. J. Randle (PF) Mid April - Ankle. D. Washington Jr. (PG) Out indefinitely - Hip.

Cleveland Cavaliers:  D. Windler (SG) Ques Sat - Foot. C. LeVert (SG) Ques Sat - Knee. D. Garland (PG) Ques Sat - Leg. D. Mitchell (SG) Ques Sat - Finger. I. Okoro (SF) Out indefinitely - Knee.

“When you look at where we ended up or where we are right now, it’s been a quantum leap but sometimes you don’t recognize that as you go through it. We’re a well-balanced team.” - Tom Thibodeau on his team coming into this playoff series against the Cavaliers.

“I’m confident and believe when we’re at our best, we’re a tough out for anybody. But it’s going to be a test for us because a lot of our guys are going into their first playoffs.” - J.B. Bickerstaff on his team’s upcoming playoff series against the Knicks. 

PG Miles McBride

SG Quentin Grimes

SF RJ Barrett

PF Obi Toppin

C Mitchell Robinson

PG Darius Garland

SG Donovan Mitchell 

SF Lamar Stevens

PF Evan Mobley

C Jarrett Allen

PPG: J. Randle (25.1)

APG: J. Brunson (6.2)

Reb/G: J. Randle (10)

PPG: D. Mitchell (28.3)

APG: D. Garland (7.8)

Reb/G: J. Allen (9.8)

Coaches:

New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau (3rd season)

Cleveland Cavaliers: J.B. Bickerstaff (5th season)