New York Knicks fans have been waiting a while for the Eastern Conference Finals to begin, and our Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions and same-game parlay believe it will be a Garden party on Tuesday, May 19.
However, that doesn't mean Donovan Mitchell won't make an impact in Game 1.
Our best Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP for Game 1
SGP leg #1: Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 3-pointers
Jalen Brunson has knocked down 40.9% of his 66 3-point attempts in the postseason, good for fourth-best among players with at least 60 3-point shots. Brunson has hit 3+ triples in seven of 10 playoff games, including four of five at MSG.
Opponents have burned the Cavaliers from downtown in these playoffs, especially in the semifinals. Detroit shot just 35.6% from deep in the regular season, and 32.7% in the first round before Cleveland allowed them to hit at a 39% clip in their seven-game series.
SGP leg #1: Knicks moneyline
If not for a pair of one-point losses to the Hawks in the first round, the Knicks would be undefeated in the postseason.
The Knicks have rattled off seven straight victories by an average of 26.4 points. New York has played four fewer games than Cleveland, and its combination of fresh legs, home-court advantage, and stellar play on both ends of the floor will lead it to victory tonight.
SGP leg #1: Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 assists
Donovan Mitchell’s assists have dropped from 5.7 in the regular season to just 2.9 in the playoffs. However, the Knicks present an easier matchup for him, ranking ninth-worst in assists allowed per game to shooting guards.
Mitchell's playmaking has translated to wins. In 63 total games with at least four assists, Cleveland went 44-19 straight up, including 4-0 in the playoffs.
If Cleveland wants to stay competitive in Game 1, they'll have to try and funnel the offense through Mitchell.
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Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Cavaliers vs Knicks predictions for Game 1.
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