Predictions, Expert Picks & Betting Splits for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2

• The Knicks are laying 6.5-points vs the Cavs in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final
• New York is 7-3 ATS as favorites in the playoffs so far
• Don’t miss the top predictions, expert picks and betting splits for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2, below

The New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden tonight, for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET and will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN. New York orchestrated a brilliant comeback in the series opener to steal Game 1, and online sportsbooks expect them to take a 2-0 series lead after tonight’s matchup. The Knicks are currently listed as 6.5-point favorites in the NBA odds, in a contest with a 216-point total.

This matchup promises high-octane action with the Cavaliers leaning heavily on superstar Donovan Mitchell to spark a fast-paced offense, while the Knicks answer with elite floor general Jalen Brunson, who absolutely lit the lamp in Game 1.

Below, you’ll find the top predictions, expert picks and betting splits for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2.

Predictions for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2

• Knicks -6.5 (-105 at BetMGM)
• OVER 216 Points (-110 at Bet365)

My two favorite picks tonight are New York -6.5 and over 216. The Knicks return to Madison Square Garden riding a hefty wave of momentum, having won their last five games straight up. When analyzing the situational data, the betting trends paint a dire picture for the visiting Cavaliers. Over their last 11 games, Cleveland is a dismal 2-9 against the spread (18.2%) on the road against opponents with a winning record.

Expanding that scope, the Cavs are just 2-11 straight up (15.4%) in those same road matchups over their last 13 contests. New York, meanwhile, is an impressive 7-3 ATS (70.0%) when playing as a favorite this postseason.

As for betting the over, it has been a highly profitable angle for New York, cashing in five of their last seven games (71.4%). This trend becomes even more lucrative when looking at their specific game state; the OVER has hit in five of the Knicks last six games when operating as a betting favorite (83.3%). Expect New York to dictate a tempo that pushes this game past the 216-point mark.

Cavs vs Knicks Playoff Stats

The most pronounced mismatch per the NBA starting lineups, is New York’s staggering offensive efficiency colliding with a leaky Cleveland defense. The Knicks currently lead the entire postseason in both field goal percentage (51.4%) and three-point percentage (39.9%). Operating a methodical halfcourt offense, they maximize every possession with a 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. Cleveland, ranking second-to-last in postseason ball security (1.3 ratio), cannot afford to be careless against a Knicks defense boasting a 102.1 Defensive Rating.

New York is also absolutely dominating the glass. Securing 55.9% of available rebounds, they physically punish opponents in the paint, generating a playoff-best 17.5 second-chance points per game. This unrelenting paint presence was obvious in Game 1, where the Knicks racked up 60 points in the paint compared to Cleveland’s 38.

Expert Picks for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2

• Jalen Brunson OVER 27.5 Points (-106 at DraftKings)
• Donovan Mitchell OVER 26.5 Points (-108 at DraftKings)

For New York to cover this 6.5-point spread, Jalen Brunson will need to orchestrate the damage. At -106 odds on DraftKings, grabbing the OVER on his widely available 27.5-point line provides undeniable value in a matchup where his usage rate will be sky-high. Brunson scored 38 points in Game 1, and has splashed 28+ points in four of his last five home outings.

If the Cavs want to keep this contest close, they need a mammoth scoring output from Donovan Mitchell, who poured in 29 points in Game 1. That output came on 22 shots, and with Mitchell projected for another 20+ attempts tonight, this prop bet is showing up as a value in our NBA player prop analyzer.

Odds for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2

Odds as of May 21. Claim the Bet365 promo code to bet on the NBA Playoffs.

Betting Splits for Cavs vs Knicks Game 2

When breaking down the NBA public betting action for Game 2, New York is drawing a relatively modest 55.2% of the spread tickets but commanding an overwhelming 72.1% of the total stake. This gap suggests the bettors laying down heavier cash are confidently siding with the Knicks, expecting them to move one stop closer to being a finalist in the NBA Championship odds.

If you are tailing my play on the OVER, we are in extremely crowded company. An astounding 94.3% of the betting slips are on the OVER, backed by an even higher 95.5% of the total money. With virtually no resistance on the UNDER, the entire market expects these two teams to push the pace and easily clear the total.