Vaughn Dalzell breaks down how to bet Game 5 of the New York Knicks versus Cleveland Cavaliers.
Knicks at Cavaliers (-5.5): O/U 202.5
This is a max desperation and motivation spot for the Cavaliers to avoid going home for the summer.
The Knicks lead the series 3-1 after winning both at home, so the ball is in the Cavs’ court. In Cleveland’s only win, it came in Cleveland during Game 2 and was a 17-point victory (107-90).
Darius Garland was the only Cav to score more than 20 points in the previous game (23), but I expect Garland and Donovan Mitchell to click at home. Cleveland and New York only played a nine-man rotation in the last game, but Clevland’s was was more like seven with Ricky Rubio and Danny Green combining for 10 minutes.
At home, Cleveland shot 32.3 and 42.4% from three compared to 21.2 and 26.1% at New York and the bench played worse on the road as well.
Despite New York been 6-2 against Cleveland this season, I will take the Cavs here and if they come through, we’ll be on the Knicks or the Under in Game 6.
I took the Cavaliers -5.5 at -110 odds and would play to -6. Teams that win have covered over 90% in the postseason and home favorites over 60%, so I am backing the Cavs on the spread.
Pick: Cavaliers -5.5 (1u)
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR BETTING TOOLS:
Live Odds: NFL | NBA | MLB | CFB | CBB | NHL Player Props: NFL | NBA | MLB | CFB| CBB | NHL
Top Trends: NFL | NBA | MLB | CFB | CBB | NHL Predictions: NFL | NBA | MLB | CFB | CBB | NHL
