The Cleveland Cavaliers won a Game 7 in each of their first two series of the playoffs to advance to their first Conference Finals since 2018. The New York Knicks are back there for a second straight season, and they’ll look to finally get over the hump and punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.
My Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions for Game 1 expect star point guard Jalen Brunson to stay hot from beyond the arc in a favorable matchup with Cleveland’s questionable perimeter defense.
Here are my free NBA picks for Tuesday, May 19.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 1 prediction
Cavaliers vs Knicks best bet: Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 3-pointers (+100)
Jalen Brunson has knocked down 40.9% of his 66 3-point attempts, good for fourth-best among players with at least 60 3-point shots in the playoffs. He’s shooting a torrid 46.7% at home, over 10% better than the road.
Brunson has hit 3+ treys in seven of 10 playoff games, including four of five at home.
Opponents have found success against the Cleveland Cavaliers from downtown, especially in the semifinals. Detroit shot just 35.6% from three in the regular season, and 32.7% in the first round before Cleveland allowed them to hit 39% in their seven-game series.
COVERS INTEL: In 26 home playoff games with the Knicks, Jalen Brunson has hit 2.7 triples on 37.9% shooting.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 1 same-game parlay
Over their seven-game win streak, the New York Knicks rank first in Offensive Rating (130.5) and second in Defensive Rating (103). New York’s 27.5 Net Rating is nearly 11 points higher than second-place San Antonio (16.7).
Donovan Mitchell’s assists dropped from 5.7 in the regular season to just 2.9 in the playoffs, but his playmaking has translated to wins. In 63 total games with at least four assists, Mitchell and Cleveland went 44-19 straight up, including 4-0 in the playoffs.
If Cleveland wants to stay competitive in Game 1, Mitchell will need to get his teammates involved.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP
- Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 3-pointers
- Knicks moneyline
- Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 assists
Cavaliers vs Knicks odds for Game 1
- Spread: Cleveland +7 (-110) | New York -7 (-110)
- Moneyline: Cleveland +220 | New York -270
- Over/Under: Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110)
Cavaliers vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Knicks have hit the moneyline in 33 of their last 45 games (+14.85 Units / 8% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 1
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Cavaliers vs Knicks latest injuries
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