New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction: Moneyline, Props & SGP (May 21)
Calendar icon Updated 21 May 14:08

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction: Moneyline, Props & SGP (May 21)

Juan Pablo Aravena Juan Pablo Aravena
Moneyline PickNew York Knicks
Player PropKarl-Anthony Towns over 17.5 points
Same Game Parlay (Bet Builder)Over 216.5 points + James Harden over 5.5 assists + Jalen Brunson over 2.5 three-pointers
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New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Main Match Info

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Moneyline Prediction

The Knicks delivered one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history in Game 1 on Tuesday. They rallied from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter and outscored the Cavaliers 44-11 between the final frame and overtime to secure the victory.

It not only gave New York a 1-0 series lead but also extended their playoff winning run to eight games.

The Knicks haven’t lost since Game 3 of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks back on April 23, and they should carry that momentum into the upcoming clash.

The Cavaliers looked gassed in the fourth quarter of the Eastern Conference Finals opener. That shouldn’t be surprising, as Cleveland had a taxing seven-game series against the Pistons in the semifinals.

With the Knicks playing at home once again and carrying the momentum of their impressive comeback in the series opener, they could very well secure another win. The Cavaliers need to adjust on the defensive end to slow down the Jalen Brunson-Karl-Anthony Towns duo, but that’s something no team in the NBA has been able to do in recent weeks.

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Player Prop

One of the biggest reasons the Knicks haven’t lost since Game 3 of the first-round series has been the tactical adjustment that made Towns their primary playmaking option.

That has resulted in Towns experiencing a sizable uptick in his assist numbers, but he hasn’t stopped being productive as a scorer either.

Towns notched 13 points, along with 13 rebounds and five assists, on Tuesday despite shooting just 6-for-14 from the floor.

The matchup against the Cavaliers’ frontcourt isn’t easy, but since Cleveland will likely focus on stopping Brunson, that should open up more opportunities for Towns, who’s averaging 17.0 points per game in the playoffs.

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Same Game Parlay

Our three-leg parlay backs the potential for another high-scoring clash, much like Game 1 of the series, where both teams combined for 219 total points after overtime. Both the Knicks and Cavaliers have shown offensive upside throughout the playoffs, and the upcoming meeting could open up even more as each side adjust their offensive strategies.

New York have scored over 125 points in four of their last seven outings.

One matchup worth keeping close tabs on is the epic duel between point guards James Harden and Jalen Brunson.

Harden has ceded the scoring responsibilities to Donovan Mitchell, but he struggled badly in Game 1, finishing with 15 points (5-16 FG) and three assists. He has dished out 6.0 assists per game in the playoffs, so there’s potential for him to bounce back after a disappointing opener.

Brunson doesn’t need to bounce back, though. The star guard fuelled the Knicks’ comeback and finished with 38 points (15-29 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-10 FT), six assists, five rebounds, and three steals across 46 minutes in Tuesday’s 115-104 overtime victory.

Although he shot just 1-for-6 from three-point range, there’s little reason for concern. Brunson has drained three or more three-pointers in five of his last eight games, making 39.6% of those attempts.

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Team News

New York Knicks Team News

The Knicks aren’t dealing with any injury concerns ahead of Game 2. OG Anunoby was the only notable player dealing with an issue, but he successfully returned from his hamstring injury on Tuesday. Look for New York to keep their rotation intact following their impressive comeback in the series opener.

Cleveland Cavaliers Team News

As has been the trend throughout the postseason, the Cavaliers aren’t dealing with any major injuries that could impact their rotation. There could be some changes in the starting lineup, with Max Strus potentially moving back to the starting lineup after struggling off the bench in Game 1 on Tuesday.

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Where to Watch (Canada)

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