Covers Backs Brunson for 3+ Treys as Knicks Open Game 1 as 7-Point Favorites

8 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 18

Jalen Brunson over 2.5 made 3-pointers is Covers' top Game 1 pick, with the Knicks star hitting 40.9% of 66 playoff attempts and 3+ threes in seven of 10 postseason games.
Cleveland's perimeter defense drives that call after allowing Detroit to shoot 39% from deep in their seven-game semifinal series, while Brunson has shot 46.7% from 3 at home this postseason.
New York also enters Tuesday on a seven-game winning streak with a 130.5 offensive rating, a 103 defensive rating and a 27.5 net rating, supporting Covers' same-game parlay lean toward the Knicks moneyline.
Donovan Mitchell over 3.5 assists rounds out that parlay, as his playoff assists have fallen to 2.9 from 5.7 in the regular season even though Cleveland is 44-19 when he records at least four assists.
Sportsbooks list New York at -7 and -270 on the moneyline for the 8 p.m. ET opener at Madison Square Garden, with the total set at 216.5.

Can the Knicks' elite defense withstand the 'Finals-or-bust' pressure in their Madison Square Garden opener?

Will Donovan Mitchell's scoring or his playmaking be the key to upsetting the favored New York Knicks?

Is Cleveland's shaky perimeter defense a fatal flaw against Jalen Brunson's hot shooting at home?