I’ve seen middle school science fair bridges built out of straws and pipe cleaners hold together better than the Cleveland Cavaliers right now.
Cleveland delivered one of the most stunning collapses in NBA playoff history in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, letting a 22-point fourth-quarter lead slip away against the New York Knicks.
If the Cavs are going to respond, it’ll take a full-team effort and our Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks are leaning on a statement showing from big man Jarrett Allen on Thursday, May 21.
- UPDATE: Added prediction who will win & +1150 SGP.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 2 prediction
Who will win Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 2?
Cleveland: For three quarters, Cleveland was cruising in Game 1. But some tweaks from the Knicks and some short-sighted coaching decisions from Kenny Atkinson let things get out of hand in the final frame.
Cleveland knows it can run with New York and we’ll see adjustments to sure up soft spots (like leaving James Harden out to dry) and exploit its strengths (inside scoring).
Cavaliers vs Knicks best bet: Jarrett Allen Over 19.5 points + rebounds (-112)
Jarrett Allen didn’t have a bad game in the opener, scoring 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting with seven rebounds. But at times, the Cleveland Cavaliers forgot about him.
The New York Knicks are susceptible inside, as we saw vs. Joel Embiid in Round 2, and Cleveland must make a more focused effort on getting Allen touches – especially against smaller forwards.
Allen can also put up points from offensive rebounds, and he snatched six of his seven boards on that end. He generated 17 rebounding chances in Game 1 yet walked away with only one defensive rebound.
Projections call for 13+ points and 10+ boards on Thursday.
COVERS INTEL: Not only did Allen’s usage dip from 16.8% to 13.8 in Game 1, but he also left points on the table, shooting just 4-for-8 from the foul line after shooting 67.4% from the stripe in Round 2.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 2 same-game parlay
The Cavaliers were playing excellent basketball up until that flop in the fourth quarter. The collapse is going to scare a lot of people off, so we’re getting some extra padding on the point spread with Cleveland.
The Cavs are a solid 27-9 SU off a loss on the year, including a 4-2 record off a loss in the postseason.
Jarrett Allen should have seen the ball more in Game 1, and we’ll see Cleveland feed the interior to compress the Knicks perimeter defense.
His game projections sit above 13 points with a ceiling of 10 rebounds. The rebounding chances were there in Game 1; he just deferred those boards to Evan Mobley.
Josh Hart may not play as big a role in this series as he has in the Knicks’ postseason run. Cleveland played off of him, using Allen to guard and begging Hart to shoot.
The Knicks also got good defense from Landry Shamet, who stole minutes from Hart. Game 2 models come in short of this 12.5-point total.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP
- Cavaliers +6.5
- Jarrett Allen Over 19.5 points + rebounds
- Josh Hart Under 12.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Broad Sword Bets
The Cavaliers can crush the Knicks inside with Jarrett Allen. He’s often drawing smaller forwards and projections for Game 2 call for 13+ points and 10+ rebounds. With Evan Mobley guarding Karl-Anthony Towns in the high post, Allen is free to protect the paint and send shots back.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP
- Cavaliers moneyline
- Jarrett Allen Over 11.5 points
- Jarrett Allen Over 7.5 rebounds
- Jarrett Allen Over 1.5 blocks
Covers NBA betting tools
Cavaliers vs Knicks odds for Game 2
- Spread: Cleveland +6.5 (-115) | New York -6.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Cleveland +195 | New York -240
- Over/Under: Over 215.5 (-110) | Under 215.5 (-110)
Cavaliers vs Knicks betting trend to know
Cleveland is 27-9 SU when coming off a loss this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 2
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Cavaliers vs Knicks latest injuries
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