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There was some concern following the Knicks’ 132-109 blowout loss in their season opener to the Celtics.
However, they put some of those questions to bed with an impressive 123-98 home victory over the Pacers.
Even in their loss to Boston, the Knicks still shot 55 percent from the floor. They just couldn’t overcome a 44-point deficit from behind the 3-point line.
Considering the Knicks have shot at least 50 percent from the floor in both games, there’s reason to be optimistic when they host the undefeated Cavaliers on Monday night.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | +2.5 (-110) | +115 | o223.5 (-110) |
| Knicks | -2.5 (-110) | -140 | u223.5 (-110) |
Cavaliers outlook
Despite their 3-0 start, it’s still too early to be overly bullish about the Cavaliers.
After all, they won those games against the Raptors, Pistons and Wizards, three teams projected to win under 30 games this season.
The roster is essentially the same as it was a year ago. Cleveland’s offseason priority was to keep its core intact by handing out contract extensions to Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and re-signing Isaac Okoro on a three-year deal.
There is a different voice on the sidelines with Kenny Atkinson taking over for J.B. Bickerstaff. Cleveland fired Bickerstaff following its loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Given Boston’s dominance, it’s difficult to think that Bickerstaff was the biggest hindrance to the Cavaliers’ playoff aspirations.
While Cleveland continues to develop its younger players, the real question is whether Atkinson will be enough to compensate for their decision not to land another veteran scorer in the free-agent market.
Knicks outlook
Friday’s victory over the Pacers showed just how potent this Knicks offense can be, as four of their five starters finished with 20 or more points. By spreading the ball around, the Knicks can rely less on point guard Jalen Brunson.
While the offense will undoubtedly attract plenty of attention following the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, maintaining last season’s defensive integrity might lead to even greater success.
Thus, keeping a Pacers team that led the NBA in scoring last season to under 100 points was a step in the right direction.
The Knicks will welcome their next challenge against a Cleveland team that leads the league in scoring (128 points per game) and field goal percentage (54.5%).
It’ll be difficult for the Cavaliers to maintain such a high level when they face the better teams around the NBA.
The Knicks and Cavaliers play in a similar style regarding their tempo, and when the game slows down, we’re likely to see a decline in Cleveland’s offensive production.
Pacers vs. Knicks pick
This is a classic spot where you want to sell high on the Cavaliers following their fast start against teams that will finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
There’s also a strong correlation with the Knicks being better suited in this clash between teams that like to play at a slower pace.
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The total is 9-1 to the under in their last 10 meetings, with the Knicks both 8-2 straight up and against the spread.
This matchup will be much more difficult for the Cavaliers, and I expect them to struggle now that they have to step up in class against a better opponent.
Best bet: Knicks -2.5 (-110, bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Arinze handicaps most major sports for the New York Post. He’s cashed two 15-leg teasers in his betting career as well as a 12-leg parlay that included eight Little League World Series games. More recently, he accurately picked finalists in the 2024 European Championships and Copa America.