Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks Game 2 Predictions, Odds and Betting Picks
Jesse M. Cox Published 20/05/2026
The New York Knicks took control of the Eastern Conference Finals with a stunning 115-104 overtime win in Game 1. New York closed the game on a 44-11 run after trailing by 22 points, while Jalen Brunson carried the offense with 38 points and six assists in 46 minutes.
Game 2 now becomes a pressure spot for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points in the opener, but the Cavaliers struggled late offensively and got outrebounded 47-38. Madison Square Garden has also turned into one of the loudest playoff environments in the NBA during New York's eight-game postseason winning streak.
Best Bets for Cavaliers vs Knicks
- Spread: Knicks -5.5 (-110 at DraftKings). New York has covered in seven of its last eight playoff games and completely controlled overtime in Game 1.
- Player Prop: Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points (-115 at FanDuel). Brunson scored 38 points in the opener and took 29 shots against Cleveland's defense.
- Total: Under 218.5 (-110 at BetMGM). Game 1 barely cleared this number because of overtime, and Cleveland scored only 21 points across the final 17 minutes.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Game Preview
New York enters Game 2 with momentum after its comeback win in the opener. Jalen Brunson scored 38 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 13 rebounds as the Knicks controlled the boards and created extra possessions. Cleveland still has strong scoring power behind Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 29 points in Game 1. However, Dennis Schröder struggled at 1-for-9 shooting, and the Cavaliers showed signs of fatigue late after their seven-game series against Detroit.
#4 CAVALIERS at #3 KNICKS | FULL GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS | May 19, 2026
The Cavaliers still shot above 50% from the field in the opener, so the offense has room to respond in Game 2. Bettors can also compare playoff lines through the best NBA betting sites before Thursday's matchup.
Moneyline Pick
The Knicks moneyline remains the safest side in Game 2. New York already proved it can survive a slow start and still control the final minutes because Brunson consistently creates quality offense under pressure.
The Cavaliers looked worn down late in Game 1 after their long Detroit series. Cleveland scored only 11 points during the closing stretch before overtime, while New York forced tougher perimeter shots and controlled the rebounding battle throughout the second half.
Pick: Knicks ML (-220 at FanDuel).
Spread Pick
The Knicks -5.5 stands out as the strongest spread wager on the board. New York's defense forced Cleveland into rushed possessions late, and the Cavaliers struggled to match the Knicks physically once the game slowed into half-court sets.
New York also owns a major edge in wing defense with Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart all playing heavy playoff minutes. That group combined for 44 points, 17 rebounds, and four steals in Game 1 while limiting Cleveland's secondary scorers.
Pick: Knicks -5.5 - (-110 at DraftKings).
Best Player Props
- Jalen Brunson: Over 29.5 Points - (-115 at FanDuel). Brunson put up 38 points in Game 1 and kept putting pressure on Cleveland's defense throughout the fourth quarter and overtime.
- Donovan Mitchell: Over 27.5 Points - (-110 at BetMGM). Mitchell remains Cleveland's clear offensive centerpiece and attempted 23 shots in the series opener.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Over 11.5 Rebounds - (-105 at Caesars). Towns grabbed 13 rebounds in Game 1 and consistently won positioning battles against Jarrett Allen.
- Josh Hart: Over 6.5 Rebounds - (-120 at DraftKings). Hart pulled down seven rebounds in the opener and continues to log heavy minutes in New York's playoff rotation.
Same Game Parlay for Cavaliers vs Knicks
This same-game parlay builds around another strong Knicks performance at home combined with a slower playoff pace. If Brunson controls the offense again and Cleveland struggles late, these legs fit together naturally.
- Leg 1: Knicks Moneyline. New York has won eight straight playoff games and holds the momentum edge.
- Leg 2: Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points. Brunson has become the toughest matchup in the series for Cleveland's perimeter defense.
- Leg 3: Under 218.5 Total Points. Both defenses tightened significantly late in Game 1.
- Leg 4: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 Rebounds. Towns continues to dominate the glass against Cleveland's frontcourt.
Game Total Pick
The Under 218.5 is still the strongest total play entering Game 2. Regulation in Game 1 stayed below this number before overtime pushed the final total higher, and both teams slowed the pace dramatically during crunch time.
Cleveland also looked tired down the stretch following a hard-fought seven-game semifinal series against Detroit. Outside of Sam Merrill, the Cavaliers struggled from three-point range, while New York's wing defenders forced tougher shot attempts during the fourth quarter.
Pick: Under 218.5 - (-110 at BetMGM).
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Best Trades for Cavaliers vs Knicks
New York remains the strongest trade angle entering Game 2. Polymarket lists the Knicks at 68¢ implied probability compared to Cleveland at 33¢ after the Knicks' comeback win in Game 1.
Jalen Brunson scoring props continue to attract heavy action after his 38-point performance in the opener. His usage rate and isolation scoring make his points markets one of the top plays on the board. Donovan Mitchell overs offer strong contrarian value. He scored 29 points on 23 shot attempts in Game 1 and should continue carrying Cleveland's offense in a must-win spot.
Final Takeaways
The Knicks enter Game 2 with the stronger form, the deeper rotation, and the best player on the floor right now in Brunson. New York's rebounding edge and late-game defense make the Knicks spread, Brunson scoring prop, and the Under the strongest bets for Thursday night.
All odds as of 2:30 PM ET on May 20, 2026. Odds sourced from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars. Check the latest odds and line movement for Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks at betting.net matchup odds page before placing your bets.