New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers 4/26/23 – The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers return to Cleveland for Game 5 on Wednesday with the Cavs facing imminent elimination after dropping both games in New York City this past weekend, giving the Knicks control of this seven-game series with three wins and one loss. However, Cleveland Cavaliers opens this game as home favorites according to the latest basketball betting stats.
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Cleveland, OH
TV: NBAt
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers 4/26/23 Betting Odds
Knicks
Moneyline: +185
Spread: +5.5 (-110)
Total: 202.5 over (-110)
Cavaliers
Moneyline: -215
Spread: -5.5 (-110)
Total: 202.5 under (-110)
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Analysis
The New York Knicks are one win away from winning their first playoff series since 2013, after taking two consecutive victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers at home. Their defense has been key, limiting each Cavs victory to under 100 points scored. Jalen Brunson had 29 points while RJ Barrett posted 26 to help give the Knicks their third-consecutive playoff victory over Cleveland with a 102-93 win on Sunday. They outscored them 29-22 in the fourth quarter to complete this impressive victory. The Knicks have averaged an impressive 98 points per game thus far in this series while shooting under 43% from the field overall and 28% from 3 point range. Furthermore, they’re out rebounding the Cavs by nearly five rebounds each game including 4 more offensive rebounds per game. The Knicks have also averaged more than 11 steals per game during this series and nearly five more rebounds than Cleveland per game on average. Jalen Brunson leads them with 24.3 points per game average.
Cleveland Cavaliers return home after losing both games played in New York to fall behind 3-1 in their series. The Cavaliers offense has struggled against the Knicks’ aggressive defense. On Sunday, Mitchell was held to just 11 points on 5 of 18 shooting and Darius Garland led the Cavs with 23 points and 10 assists while Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert both contributed 14 points each. On Friday night in New York, if the Cavs want to force Game 6 they must find their offense quickly. Three out of the four losses suffered have seen them fail to score 100+ points and thus force game six. The key for the Cavs will be extracting more production out of Mitchell. He’s one of the league’s premier scorers and currently averages 22 points per game in this series while shooting 43% from the field and an uncharacteristically low 66% free throw shooting percentage; something which was often true during his regular season performance of 86% from free-throw range. Mitchell has shot less than four free throws per game this series after averaging more than six per game during the season.
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Against the Spread
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York’s last 6 games. New York are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games. New York are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against Cleveland. New York are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games against Cleveland. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York’s last 6 games on the road.
Cleveland are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 6 games. Cleveland are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 7 games against New York. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 7 games at home.
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Free Pick
NBA betting analysts anticipate the Cavs will come out hungry in Game 5 and begin getting Mitchell involved immediately. The Cavs will enlist Danny Green as an understudy on their bench unit in order to generate production from a unit that has been overshadowed by New York Knicks bench players. After two rousing home victories, the Knicks will likely experience a letdown and will have to hold off a strong charge by Cleveland. Julius Randle of the Knicks may still be banged up with an injured ankle.
Free Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers -5.5 (-110)
