The New York Knicks have not been tested in three weeks. The Cleveland Cavaliers hope to do more than keep things competitive, but even just that would provide us some betting value.
These Cavaliers vs. Knicks props and NBA picks expect a quality Game 1 on Tuesday, May 19.
Best Cavaliers vs Knicks props for Game 1
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Jalen Brunson |
Over 6.5 assists | +110 |
 Jarrett Allen |
Over 12.5 points | -115 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns |
Over 1.5 3-pointers | +145 |
Game 1 Prop #1: Jalen Brunson Over 6.5 assists
We, as a basketball community, probably did not properly appreciate that seven-game series from the Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was the good stuff, even if Game 7 ended in a rout.
Detroit leaned heavily on Cade Cunningham, perhaps too heavily, but with good reason. Even on a lineup devoid of a second scorer or enough perimeter shooting, Cunningham averaged 7.9 assists in that series.
The New York Knicks do not need to rely on Jalen Brunson as heavily for all things offense, but he is still clearly their focal point and initiator. Expect Brunson’s assist numbers to spike in this series, frequently able to get past Cleveland’s perimeter defenders, but then faces quality rim defenders.
Game 1 Prop #2: Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 points
One of those quality rim defenders found his groove offensively late in that series against the Pistons. Jarrett Allen struggled to start the series, going just 1-of-4 in 18 minutes in Game 1. But he averaged 17.3 points in the final three games, clearing this points prop each time.
Allen needed to find his space against a physical center like Jalen Duren.
He should not have that same issue against the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson both bring their own qualities, but neither is as physical a presence as Duren.
Game 1 Prop #3: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3-pointers
This is simply too rich a price to be ignored. Karl-Anthony Towns hit multiple 3-pointers in two of four games last series and has done so in four of 10 games this postseason while shooting an absurd 48.3% from deep.
Realize, he hit multiple 3-pointers in two of the four games last round despite never playing even 28 minutes in that lopsided series. A similar limitation fell on the final three games of the first round.
If Cleveland can actually keep things competitive, Towns should attempt five or six 3-pointers. At that point, there would also be value in betting on him to hit three triples, available at +500 at bet365.
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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