The New York Knicks haven’t made the NBA finals since 1999, but they are one win away from ending years of underperformance after a sensational start to their Eastern Conference showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York’s 121-108 victory in Game 3 has them on the brink and Cleveland are running out of ideas to stop Jalen Brunson on one end and get past a relentless Knicks defence on the other.
It is win-or-go-home time for the Cavs, but everything points to Monday’s Game 4 producing more disappointment for the home crowd at the Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks Tips Summary
Best Bet - New York Knicks -2.5 @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Over 217.5 points @ 10/11
Bet Builder - Mikal Bridges over 21.5 points, assists & rebounds (combined), Josh Hart over 1.5 steals, Donovan Mitchell under 26.5 points @ 13/2
Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks Prediction
Best Bet: New York Knicks -2.5 @ 10/11
A reaction should be expected from Cleveland. The home crowd will not let them off easy and Kenny Atkinson knows his job could be in danger if they are swept.
However, they lost the opening three games of this series by a combined 40 points and that is simply a deficit too big for a little extra effort to fix.
A major improvement on their shooting is required - knocking down just 18 of their 55 wide-open threes in this series isn’t good enough for this level - and that is unlikely to happen given the defensive brilliance of Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and the rest of the Knicks.
The Cavs technically have more to play for, but having extra days off ahead of the finals against either the Thunder or Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs? That will be enough for the Knicks to get up for this clash.
Alternative Bet: Over 217.5 points @ 10/11
The Cavs will push to salvage their season, which should lead to an exciting and open game, so expect the points to flow in Ohio.
Only one of the matches in this series has produced fewer than 217 points and more basket-to-basket action is on the cards in a crucial Game 4.
Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks Bet Builder Tip
Mikal Bridges over 21.5 points, assists & rebounds
Josh Hart over 1.5 steals
Donovan Mitchell under 26.5 points
Pays @ 13/2
Brunson remains New York’s main man, but Bridges has proved to be pivotal in this series, putting up 59 points, six assists and 14 rebounds across the three matches.
Take the Knicks star to get at least 22 combined points, assists and rebounds for the ninth game in a row.
The Cavs have literally been throwing the ball away all series, making 44 turnovers across the three matches. That may cost them again in Game 4 and perceptive defender Josh Hart should record at least two steals for the third match on the spin.
A big game from Donovan Mitchell could save the Cavs, but he has looked well off the pace of late. He has shot just 31.6 per cent from three in the series and a third-straight game with fewer than 27 points seems likely.
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Key Match Stats
The Knicks have won 10 straight games
All of those victories have come by at least six points
The Cavaliers have shot just 29 per cent from three in this series
Cleveland have lost five of their last six head-to-heads
Only Victor Wembanyama (3.8) has made more blocks per game than Cavs forward Evan Mobley (1.9) in the postseason
Five of the last seven head-to-heads have produced at least 218 points
Tactics, Form and Team News
The Knicks have no new injury concerns heading into the game.
Starting Five: PG Jalen Brunson, SG Josh Hart, SF Mikal Bridges, PF OG Anunoby, C Karl-Anthony Towns
Like their visitors, the Cavaliers are also at full strength with no injury worries.
Starting Five: PG James Harden, SG Donovan Mitchell, SF Dean Wade, PF Evan Mobley, C Jarrett Allen
Read more Basketball betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
