Check out our free Cavaliers vs Knicks pick and preview for this NBA game in New York. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.
Cavaliers vs Knicks NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
- Where: New York at Madison Square Garden
- Date: Tuesday, January 24th
- Betting Odds NY +2.5, CLE -150 | NY +125 O/U 219.0
The Cavaliers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 29-19. So far, the team has gone 26-21-1 against the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Cleveland has an overall record of 1-2, including going 2-1 against the spread.
In their previous game, the Cavaliers took down the Bucks by a score of 114-102. Not only did they come away with a straight up win, but they also covered the spread as 3 point favorites. Although Cleveland held just a 3 point lead at half, they put together a strong second half on their way to a 12 point victory. Leading the team in scoring was Evan Mobley, as he contributed 38 points while hitting 70.4% of his shots.
So far, the Knicks have put together an overall record of 25-23, while going 24-23-1 vs the spread. Against the Cavaliers, the Knicks are looking to break out of a 4 game losing streak. These defeats have come on an average scoring differential of -9.25 points per contest.
Not only did the Knicks drop their last game to the Raptors. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 125-116 as 2 point underdogs. New York was not able to make a comeback in this matchup, as they went into the half down by 9. In the loss, RJ Barrett led the team in scoring with 30 points on a field goal percentage of 55.6%.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
I In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Cavaliers averaged 113.33 points per game vs New York, which was an increase over their season-long average. However, the Knicks actually averaged fewer points per game than their season-long mark. Across their head-to-head matchups with Cleveland, the team averaged 101.0 points per game. Across the previous 5 meetings between the teams, the Cavaliers have an average scoring margin of +8 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-2. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 2-2-1. Combined, they averaged 208 points in these games.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
Through 48 games, the Cavaliers are averaging 111.7 points per contest, placing them 26th in the NBA. Coming into today’s game, the Cavaliers will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.4 made 3’s per game. Not only is the Cleveland offense struggling with their outside shot, but they are also getting to the charity stripe at a below average rate. So far, they are the 15th ranked team in made free-throws per contest.
So far, the Cavaliers have played well defensively, as they are ranked 5th in the league at 105.67 points per contest.
On offense, Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers in scoring at 28.4 points per game, placing him 10th in the NBA. Overall, Mitchell has hit 48.3% of his shots while accounting for 23.9% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 28th in points allowed to shooting guards. At 21.7 points per game, Darius Garland is the 2nd leading scorer for the Cavaliers. For the season, he is 80th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 44.8%.
This season, the New York offense has had their problems scoring the ball as they are a below average unit at 114.3 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Knicks will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.9 made 3’s per game. If the New York offense is going to improve, they must continue to do a good job avoiding turnovers. Currently, the unit is 3rd in fewest turnovers per game.
On the defensive end of the floor, the Knicks are giving up an average of 106.6 points per game, good for 6th in the NBA.
This season, the Knicks offense has primarily worked through Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 48 games, Randle is 22nd in the NBA at 24.4 points per game. So far, him and Brunson have accounted for 39% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 46.9 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Jalen Brunson is grabbing 3.5 rebounds for New York to go along with 6.3 assists.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: Knicks +2.5
- Free Total Prediction: Under 219.0
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