Knicks vs. Cavaliers NBA expert prediction, odds, key players for Oct. 31 (Trust New York)
The New York Knicks get their first look of the season at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Cleveland.
These two teams matched up in the playoffs last season, with the Knicks defeating the Cavs in just five games. Counting the playoffs, these teams played nine times in the 2022-23 season and New York won seven of them.
The Knicks are in a good spot on Tuesday night, as Cleveland won’t have Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen in this game. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland’s All-NBA guard – is listed as questionable.
After a disappointing showing in the second night of a back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, the Knicks are hoping to turn things around, especially on the offensive end, on Tuesday night.
New York scored just 87 points against the Pelicans and the team ranks 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating so far this season.
With the Cavs down a few players, the Knicks are favored on the road in this game. Let’s break down how to bet it, and a great promo offer you could use to do so.
If you’re looking to bet on any game in the NBA tonight, FanDuel Sportsbook has an amazing promotional offer. New users who sign up with the link below and wager $5 will receive $150 in bonus bets (if your team wins) and three months free of NBA League Pass!
Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds, spread and total
Knicks vs. Cavaliers how to watch
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 31
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
- How to Watch (TV): TNT
- New York Knicks Record: 1-2
- Cleveland Cavaliers Record: 1-2
Knicks vs. Cavaliers injury reports
New York Knicks injury report
- No injuries to report
Cleveland Cavaliers injury report
- Ty Jerome – out
- Darius Garland – out
- Jarrett Allen – out
- Donovan Mitchell – questionable
- Ricky Rubio – out
Knicks vs. Cavaliers key players to watch
New York Knicks
Julius Randle: It’s been a rough start to the season for Randle, who is shooting just 27.7 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from beyond the arc in the Knicks’ first three games.
The star forward has to be better if the Knicks are going to make the playoffs again, and it’s worth noting that he didn’t exactly play his best basketball (he also had an ankle injury) against Cleveland in the playoffs last season.
RJ Barrett: Could this be the season that RJ Barrett makes the leap? The former No. 3 overall pick is averaging 22.7 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc this season.
Barrett has gotten off to slow starts in his career, so it’s great to see him clicking from the jump in the 2023-24 campaign.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell: With so many key players out of this game for the Cavs, Mitchell (questionable) will need to step up as a scorer and a playmaker for Cleveland on Tuesday night. A New York native, Mitchell averages 24.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in 14 games versus the Knicks in his career.
Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction and pick
Even though the Knicks have gotten off to a slow start this season, it’s hard to fade them.
The Cavs are 0-2 since Garland went down with a hamstring injury, and there’s no guarantee that Mitchell ends up suiting up in this game.
Cleveland struggled to contain the Knicks on the glass in the playoffs last season, and now the team doesn’t have Allen to match up with Mitchell Robinson. That’s going to make it tough for the team to control the paint, and Cleveland currently ranks 22nd in the league in rebounding percentage.
Randle is due for some positive regression shooting the ball, as is guard Jalen Brunson, who has struggled in two of the Knicks’ first three games.
This seems to be the perfect storm for a bounce-back win for the Knicks.
—
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
