Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 Pick, Prediction, Odds

The New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2025-26 Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday, May 21. The Cavaliers are coming off an all-time collapse in Game 1, giving up a 22-point lead in the second half of the fourth quarter. Can Cleveland find a way to put that disaster in the rearview mirror? Find out in our Cavaliers vs. Knicks betting preview. Also check out our VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our NBA postseason content.

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How To Watch Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2

When: 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, May 21

Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, New York

Channel: ESPN

Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 11:00 pm ET on Wednesday, May 20

Moneyline: Knicks -218, Cavaliers +180

Spread: Knicks -6.5 (-105), Cavaliers +6.5 (-115)

Total: Over 215.5 (-108), Under 215.5 (-112)

Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 Picks

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I wasn’t sure I’d be back on the Cavaliers after what happened in Game 1, but I decided not to overreact too much to seven miserable minutes of play. Heading into Game 1, I really didn’t expect Cleveland to have much of a shot at winning. After playing a Game 7 two nights earlier, I was always looking at Game 2 as the Cavaliers’ chance to strike on the road. Of course, a lot changed with Cleveland having blown a 22-point lead in Game 1. The road win the Cavaliers must have was right there, and letting it slip away had to hurt. Also, going to overtime and playing the starters big minutes on short rest was also brutal. But Cleveland still has another shot at heading home with some strong vibes on the team plane. That’s the way the team needs to look at this.

While James Harden’s one-on-one defense against Jalen Brunson was rough in Game 1, it does feel like we’re all weighing that final stretch a little too heavily. In fact, before Kenny Atkinson threw himself to the wolves with miserable coaching decision after miserable coaching decision, it was Mike Brown that was making questionable calls for New York. The Knicks were wildly doubling Harden near halfcourt, allowing the Cavaliers to play in space in 4-on-3 situations. New York was also losing shooters far too often. Are we sure the Knicks can be trusted to defend at a high enough level to win by margin? Also, Cleveland was doing a good job of guarding for most of Game 1. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen did well enough on Karl-Anthony Towns, keeping him from going off the same way he did against Atlanta and Philadelphia. The Cavaliers were also active defending everywhere else, and that includes the way they were handling Brunson. They just need to get back to it.

Oddly enough, Cleveland has been reliable when spending a good chunk of time away from home under Atkinson. With him on the sidelines, the Cavaliers are 9-1 straight-up and 6-3-1 against the spread when playing a third road game in five days. The Knicks also happen to be 0-2 ATS in Game 2s in these playoffs. I’ll also note that Cleveland is 25-14 SU and 20-19 ATS when looking for revenge for a road loss against an opponent under Atkinson.

In terms of just the basketball and the trends, there’s no reason not to believe in Cleveland. The only reason to turn away from this group is the mental aspect of things. But you know what? The Cavaliers suffered an embarrassing home loss to the Pistons in Game 6 of the last round, getting blown out with a chance to close the series out in front of their fans. That then meant that Cleveland had to go on the road for a Game 7, and many expected the Cavaliers to poop the bed. Well, they absolutely whooped the Pistons in that one. Maybe they’re a little stronger mentally than we give them credit for.

Considering all of that, I’m playing Cleveland to cover. However, I’m taking it at 7.5 instead of 6.5. I’m also going to sprinkle the moneyline. On top of that, I do have two player props for this game.

Once again, I’m going to Dean Wade to go Over 8.5 combined points and rebounds. Wade had 15 combined points and rebounds in Game 1, and he has now gone Over this total in eight of the 15 postseason games he has played this year. I continue to think there’s a good chance Atkinson will need to play Wade a bunch because of his defense. And if Wade is out there a decent amount, he should put a dent in the box score.

I’m also taking a flier on Mobley to finish with at least two threes in this game. I wouldn’t say Mobley is the most lethal shooter in the world, but he has made at least two threes in three of the last four games — and six of the last 11. Defenses are giving Mobley space, prioritizing taking away his ability to attack off the dribble while also staying at home on his teammates. Well, Mobley has been taking what the defense has been giving him. In fact, he launched eight triples in Game 1. That might have been too many, but this will feel like a good bet as long as he takes five in this game.

Bet: Cavaliers +7.5 (-122 – 1.5 units) & Cavaliers ML (+205 – 0.5 units)
Bet: Wade Over 8.5 Points + Rebounds (-108)
Bet: Mobley Over 1.5 Made Threes (+165 – 0.5 units)

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