NBA Predictions & Odds 4/21/23

Cleveland Cavaliers (52-32) vs. New York Knicks (48-36)
April 21, 2023 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: New York Knicks -2; Over/Under: 211
(Get latest betting odds)

The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks meet Friday in Game 3 of the NBA East First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 102 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 95.5 points on 39.5 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points and 10.5 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 24.5 points and 4 assists. Caris LeVert is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 12 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 25.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.5 rebounds per game.

The New York Knicks are averaging 95.5 points on 39.5 percent shooting and allowing 102 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 23.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Julius Randle is averaging 20.5 points and 9 rebounds. Josh Hart is the third double-digit scorer and RJ Barrett is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The New York Knicks are shooting 25.9 percent from beyond the arc and 84.6 percent from the free throw line. The New York Knicks are allowing 37.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.5 rebounds per game.

The Cavaliers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 2-9 ATS in their last 11 Friday games. The Knicks are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 Friday games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest. The under is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 overall. The over is 4-1 in Knicks last 5 home games. The Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

You can argue the Cleveland Cavaliers are the better team, so getting a free bucket with them is valuable. However, the New York Knicks played the Cavs well in Cleveland and now come home where it’s going to be an absolute zoo in NYC. The Knicks have also thrived in the favorite role, where they win by an average of 7.1 points. The Knicks should bring the energy and get help from the crowd. I’ll lay the bucket.