Knicks Open East Finals as 7.5-Point Favorites Over Cavaliers
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 19
Knicks Open East Finals as 7.5-Point Favorites Over Cavaliers
9 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 19
New York enters Tuesday’s Eastern Conference finals opener as a 7.5-point home favorite, with ESPN’s BPI giving the Knicks a 70% win chance and projecting a 220-point game.
Seven straight playoff wins have fueled that edge for the No. 3 Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson’s recent 27.4 points and 6.1 assists per game and a deeper lineup around Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Cleveland reached the series through back-to-back seven-game wins over Toronto and Detroit, leaning on Donovan Mitchell’s 30.4% postseason usage plus frontcourt control from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
ESPN’s featured betting angles back Brunson for 34-plus points and assists at -121 and Bridges to score over 13.5 points at -106, while DFS targets include Mitchell at $10,400 and Bridges at $6,800.
Game 1 tips at 8 p.m. ET with a 217.5 total, and injury uncertainty remains limited to game-time decisions for OG Anunoby’s hamstring and Larry Nance Jr.’s illness.
Will the Knicks' dominant rest conquer the Cavaliers' battle-tested momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals?
James Harden was the Cavs' big gamble. Can he deliver against New York's top-ranked defense?