Barry Recks
The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers both were not part of the NBA Playoffs in 2022. But here they are about to lock horns in Game 1 of their series in the East this coming Saturday.
Read on for more about this Knicks vs Cavaliers matchup in the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NBA game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1 on April 15, 2023
- Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland
- When: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 6:00 PM ET
- NBA Betting Odds: View NBA Odds
Betting on the New York Knicks
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
The addition of Jalen Brunson to the Knicks in the last offseason has proved to be so beneficial for New York, as evidenced by the team’s return to the NBA Playoffs, which it missed in 2022. Brunson is expected to carry a heavier burden in Game 1 of this series versus the Cavs, with Julius Randle questionable to see action due to injury.
That said, the door is not completely shut on Randle’s chances to play on Saturday. Randle led the Knicks in the regular season in scoring with 25.1 PPG to go with 8.1 RPG and 4.1 APG. Brunson, on the other hand, mustered 24.0 PPG and 6.2 APG while shooting 41.6 percent from behind the arc.
The last time the Cavs met New York, Brunson erupted for 48 points in a 130-116 win in Cleveland on Mar. 31. New York’s offense has proven to be a handful for the Cavs, who saw the Knicks shoot 48 FG% and 39.2 3FG%, in four meetings this season, thus far.
Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Regular Season Record: 51-31
The Cavs want nothing this Saturday but a win right from the get-go of the series versus the Knicks. Cleveland is excited to see the Cavs play postseason basketball again, with the team clinching its first berth in the playoffs since the departure of LeBron James.
This time, it’s Donovan Mitchell leading the charge for the Cavs, whose defense is a major factor in their success this season. The Cavs finished the regular season ranked No. 1 overall in the league with just 106.9 points allowed per game. Cavs opponents also posted just a 53.5 effective field goal percentage – sixth in the NBA.
The awesome backcourt tandem of Mitchell (28.3 PPG) and Darius Garland (21.6 PPG) is complemented nicely by the frontcourt tandem of Evan Mobley (16.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.5 BPG) and Jarrett Allen (9.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG). They should have an easier job of containing the Knicks especially if Randle gets ultimately ruled out of Game 1. Cleveland put up just 112.3 PPG in the regular season but the Cavs have a 116.0 adjusted offensive rating.
JefeBet Prediction
With or without Randle, the Knicks will be able to hang with Cleveland on the road. Expecting the Knicks to cover the spread at the very least in Game 1.
Prediction: Cavs win, 113-111.
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