After an exciting opening night in the Association, Day 2 of the season opens in style with a primetime matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
Last year’s Top 2 seeds in the Eastern Conference will look a little different than they did to open the last campaign. My Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions believe New York will get revenge against a Cleveland team that swept the 2024-25 season series.
Here are my best free NBA picks for Wednesday, October 22.
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Cavaliers vs Knicks prediction
Cavaliers vs Knicks best bet: Knicks moneyline (+105)
The major storyline for this game is the number of injuries for both teams. The New York Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson (rest) and Josh Hart (back), while Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) is questionable. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be missing Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot), while De’Andre Hunter is questionable due to a knee injury.
Each team will be without at least two key players, and in a war of attrition, I like the Knicks and their deeper roster.
New York’s starting lineup will still have Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby. If Towns ends up sitting, Cleveland gets a major boost in the frontcourt thanks to their stud, double-big lineup of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Nonetheless, I expect New York to get it done at MSG with solid depth and home court advantage.
The Cavs may have the advantage in the frontcourt, but New York has the edge in the shooting and scoring departments against a Cavs’ defense that was simply average against opposing 3-point shooters last season.
Cleveland won and covered in all four head-to-head matchups a season ago, but the Knicks were competitive in three of those contests. In three of four, New York held the lead at halftime, and in two of them, the Knicks were up going into the fourth quarter.
New York was 27-14 straight up at Madison Square Garden last season. The Knicks can finally get over the hump here, and I expect them to do it in the home opener.
Cavaliers vs Knicks same-game parlay
Allen recorded a double-double in each of his two trips to the Garden last season, and he’ll have an advantage in this one with New York’s frontcourt banged up.
Miles McBride averaged 9.5 points per game last season and scored at least eight in 39 of 64 regular-season appearances. "Deuce" knocked down five of six triples in two matchups with Cleveland and scored 12 and 14 points, respectively. He can take advantage of the Cavs’ perimeter defense here.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP
- Knicks moneyline
- Jarrett Allen double-double
- Miles McBride Over 7.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Spida sense is tingling
Donovan Mitchell should get up plenty of shots with Darius Garland and Max Strus sidelined. Spida shines on the brightest stages, and I expect him to do so tonight.
Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP
- Knicks moneyline
- Jarrett Allen double-double
- Miles McBride Over 7.5 points
- Donovan Mitchell Over 27.5 points
Cavaliers vs Knicks odds
- Spread: Cavaliers -1.5 | Knicks +1.5
- Moneyline: Cavaliers -125 | Knicks +105
- Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Cavaliers vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Cavaliers went 4-0 straight up and ATS against the Knicks last season. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Tuesday, October 22, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Cavaliers vs Knicks latest injuries
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