Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction, odds, line, time: 2023 NBA playoff picks, Game 3 bets by model on 71-37 run
The Cleveland Cavaliers look to regain control of their 2023 NBA playoff series when they meet the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup on Friday. The Knicks (47-35), the fifth seed, seized control of home-court with a 101-97 win in Game 1 at Cleveland. The Cavaliers (51-31), the No. 4 seed, then answered by knotting the series at 1-1 with a 107-90 victory in Tuesday's Game 2. Since 2015, Cleveland is 10-6 in Game 3s of any playoff series and has won 22 of its last 30 road playoff games against Eastern Conference opponents.
The game will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York. The Cavs have the top defensive unit in the NBA, allowing a league-low 106.9 points during the regular season, while the Knicks were 13th at 113.1. New York is a 2-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 211.5. Before making any Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks, be sure to .
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Cavs vs. Knicks and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the NBA lines and trends for Knicks vs. Cavs:
- Cavaliers vs. Knicks spread: Knicks -2
- Cavaliers vs. Knicks over/under: 211.5 points
- Cavaliers vs. Knicks money line: Cavaliers +118, Knicks -140
- CLE: The Cavaliers are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six road games
- NYK: The Knicks are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four Friday games
- Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game| New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Why the Knicks can cover
Shooting guard Josh Hart was a big reason New York was able to steal the home-court advantage away from Cleveland in Game 1. He registered a double-double off the bench with 17 points and 10 rebounds. It was his 11th double-double of the year and second in a row after scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 141-136 loss to Indiana in the regular-season finale. In two postseason games, he is averaging 11 points and seven rebounds.
Small forward RJ Barrett is coming off a 14-point and three-rebound performance in Game 2. For the season, he was one of the Knicks' top scorers, averaging 19.6 points, five rebounds and 2.8 assists in 73 games. He also was a thorn in the Cavs' side during the regular season, averaging 15 points, six rebounds and 1.3 assists. During his four-year career, Barrett is averaging 18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists, connecting on 42.2% of his field goals and 70.9% of his free throws. See which team to pick here.
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Power forward Evan Mobley is a big part of Cleveland's success and is averaging a double-double in the postseason at 10.5 points and 12 rebounds. He scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while blocking two shots in the Cavs' Game 2 victory on Tuesday. In 79 regular-season games, Mobley averaged 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks. In four regular-season games against New York, he averaged 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks.
Center Jarrett Allen is also averaging a double-double against the Knicks so far in the postseason. He is averaging 11.5 points and 12 rebounds, including a 14-point and 14-rebound effort in Saturday's Game 1. In two games against New York during the regular season, Allen averaged 15 points and 12.5 rebounds. He had three blocks and three steals to help key the Cavaliers' Game 2 victory. See which team to pick here.
How to make Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 220 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
