Knicks vs. Cavaliers prediction, odds, line, time: 2023 NBA playoff picks, Game 5 bets from model on 71-38 run
The New York Knicks look to close the door on the Cleveland Cavaliers when they meet in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Wednesday. New York leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 after posting a 102-93 win on Sunday. The Knicks (47-35), the fifth seed in the conference, have won six of the last eight meetings with Cleveland, including the postseason. The Cavaliers (51-31), the East's No. 4 seed in the 2023 NBA playoffs, have played well on their home court, going 9-3 in Cleveland since 2018. Quentin Grimes (shoulder) is questionable for New York.
The game from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland will begin at 7 p.m. ET. 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. Cleveland is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 202. Before making any Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
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 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Cavaliers and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Cavaliers vs. Knicks:
- Knicks vs. Cavaliers spread: Cavaliers -5.5
- Knicks vs. Cavaliers over/under: 202 points
- Knicks vs. Cavaliers money line: Knicks +185, Cavaliers -225
- NY: The Knicks are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last seven games against a team with a winning straight-up record
- CLE: The Cavaliers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Wednesday games
- Knicks vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game| Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Shooting guard Caris LeVert, who has two starts in the series, had a near double-double in the Game 4 loss. He scored 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added two assists, one block and one steal in 39 minutes of action. He was a difference-maker in the Game 2 win, scoring 24 points with four rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes of play. For the series, he is averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Power forward Evan Mobley is a big part of Cleveland's success and is averaging a double-double in the postseason at 10.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. He is coming off a 12-point and seven-rebound performance in Game 4. He scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while blocking two shots in the Cavaliers' Game 2 victory last Tuesday. During the regular season, he played in 79 games and averaged 16.2 points, nine rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks. See which side to back at SportsLine.
Why the Knicks can cover
Small forward RJ Barrett was solid in Game 4, pouring in 26 points after he scored 19 points and had eight rebounds with three assists in Game 3. Through four postseason games, Barrett has help keep Cleveland at bay, averaging 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. During the regular season, he was one of the Knicks' top scorers, averaging 19.6 points, five rebounds and 2.8 assists. In 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.
Shooting guard Josh Hart has already put together a dominant series and is coming off a 19-point, seven-rebound effort in Sunday's win. In Game 1, he came off the bench and registered a double-double 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 four postseason games, he is averaging 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds. See which side to back at SportsLine.
How to make Cavaliers vs. Knicks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 207 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can see the model's picks at SportsLine.
