Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks odds, picks and predictions

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in action against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game at Madison Square Gardenin New York, New York.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks open their season Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Cavaliers won 4-0

The Cavaliers picked up 4 victories in 4 tries last season against the Knicks including a pair of 6-point victories at Madison Square Garden. Cleveland was an underdog in each of those meetings, and the Cavaliers were 4-0 against the spread (ATS) in each of those matchups, too. The Under went 3-1 in the 4 meetings, while cashing at a 9-1 clip in the past 10 installments since a playoff game April 21, 2023.

Cleveland won 64 games last season, but lost in the playoffs to the eventual Eastern Conference champ Indiana Pacers. The Cavs added G Lonzo Ball and C Thomas Bryant, while picking up G Tyrese Proctor in the draft. NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ty Jerome and Isaac Okoro are gone, and Tristan Thompson was not re-signed. That's not to mention the core of G Donovan Mitchell with C Jarrett Allen, G Darius Garland, F Evan Mobley and F De'Andre Hunter.

The Knicks won 51 games last season, losing in the conference finals, also to the Pacers. That cost Tom Thibodeau his job, with former Cavs coach Mike Brown taking the reins.

F Mikal Bridges was signed to an extension, and the team added G Jordan Clarkson and C Guerschon Yabusele, who shined at times for the 76ers. With G Jalen Brunson and C Karl-Anthony Towns with Bridges, F OG Anunoby and G Josh Hart forming a solid core, this team should continue just like the Cavs.

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Cavaliers at Knicks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Knicks +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers -1.5 (-110) | Knicks +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Cavaliers at Knicks injuries

Cavaliers

G Darius Garland (toe) out
F-G De'Andre Hunter (knee) questionable
G-F Max Strus (foot) out

Knicks

F-G OG Anunoby (ankle) probable
G Josh Hart (back) out
C-F Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out
C-F Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Cavaliers at Knicks picks and predictions

Prediction

Cavaliers 115, Knicks 110

Moneyline

The Cavaliers (-120) aren't worth playing on the moneyline. When a team is laying just a couple of points, it's better to laying the points for a better value rather than paying more straight up.

AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

The CAVALIERS -1.5 (-110) is a much better play laying the little bit of points, unless you like Cleveland to win, and are dead-set on this opener finishing as a 1-point Cleveland win. Then, by all means, pay more for the moneyline.

There are questions for both teams, in terms of personnel, as Garland and Strus are out for Cleveland, while Towns has a quadriceps issue, while Hart and Robinson are sidelined.

However, Cleveland won and covered all 4 meetings last season, and there is no reason to get away from the Cavs until the Knicks show they can get finally get past the Cavs.

Over/Under

The UNDER 227.5 (-105) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

Last season, the Under cashed in 3 of the 4 regular-season meetings, including both games at MSG. The Under is 9-1 in the past 10 installments, too, and that's good enough reason to go low despite the fact both NBA went Over in Tuesday's openers.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Daniel Dobish, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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