Cavs-Knicks: Starters, odds, injuries and TV channel for Monday

The Cleveland Cavaliers keep churning along, as they’re 28-19 at this point, with them coming off a 2-1 week with wins versus the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder on MLK Day and on Saturday. Cleveland’s won six of seven.

The Nets were without Kevin Durant in that one, admittedly, and that Thunder game was far from a great one for Cleveland, though, as they missed 17 free throws (yes, 17) and the Thunder kept clawing their way back. The Cavaliers’ loss at the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday by 13 from a lackluster defensive effort was also a game that was concerning, somewhat like that OKC one.

Plus, unfortunately for the Cavs, they’ll likely be without Lauri Markkanen for an extended period it seems, as he reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain. That one hurts on multiple fronts, as Markkanen has really gotten it going offensively, and his chemistry was improving with Cleveland’s other bigs and with Darius Garland, among others.

Looking at Monday, the Cavaliers have the New York Knicks next on the docket, in the second game of a back-to-back for them.

New York is a club that’s defensive-minded and like the Cavs, has its share of rim protection as well.

Offensively, the Knicks have had their inconsistencies, partly because of injuries, which has played into them being 6-4 in their past 10 games, but they do make for an intriguing opponent here, and I’ll be looking forward to see how Cleveland matches up.

So, what do you have to know about this Cavs-Knicks matchup, and how to bet?

Coming into this one, I’ll be looking to see if Darius Garland, who has been somewhat off lately, due to the attention he draws, can bounce back. New York has its share of length, and I’m not sure if the lobs/interior feeds will be there in this one for him, or the floaters; teams have been keying in on those more recently, too.

If Rajon Rondo is back from hamstring soreness, that could take some burden off Garland here and there in the playmaking sense, though, and he and the likes of Lamar Stevens can provide energy for Cleveland here.

In addition, a storyline to watch is Cleveland’s approach with Evan Fournier, and maybe in his second outing with the Knicks, new trade acquisition Cam Reddish could be another player to keep an eye on, too.

Along with that element, can the Cavs hold it down on the boards here, which defensively, is an area they need to improve in, is a huge key. Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel and company are a tough club to account for in that regard.

Generally speaking, how Cleveland does here, especially in the first game without Markkanen for a considerable stretch, makes it all the more intriguing.

With that in mind, we’ll get into the betting info for this one.

Cavs-Knicks: Odds, spread and over/under

According to our partners at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are favored by 6.5 over the Knicks. The over/under for both is set at 201.5, with that for the Cavs at 104.0 and for the Knicks at 98.0.

This could be a slugfest where one and/or both struggle to score for extended stretches.

Cavs-Knicks: Projected starters and injury report

Knicks starters: Alec Burks, Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Knicks injuries: Nerlens Noel (probable, knee); Kemba Walker (questionable, knee); Mitchell Robinson Jr. (questionable, ankle); Derrick Rose (out, ankle); Ryan Arcidiacano (out, ankle); Luka Samanic (out, G League assignment).

Cavs injuries: Lauri Markkanen (out, ankle); RJ Nembhard (out, G-League assignment); Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Ricky Rubio (out for season, knee); Rajon Rondo (questionable, hamstring).

Cavs-Knicks: Prediction

Looking at this one, as evidenced by the over/under, it figures to be on the lower scoring side of things, as New York is a club that’s defensive-minded, as we alluded to.

The likes of Robinson being questionable after an ankle injury against the LA Clippers in their win on Sunday to me is a big factor in the game and/or how much soreness he has, even if he can play. Robinson’s presence in the paint on both ends is crucial for New York, and even with his fouling issues, he could give Cleveland and even Jarrett Allen issues with his length and vertical play; that’s not taking anything away from Noel.

In terms of the perimeter matchups, I’d imagine Cleveland will put the likes of Dean Wade and Lamar Stevens on RJ Barrett defensively, and the help will come often to Barrett, who is playing very well and is such a capable driver, finisher and playmaker.

Could the Cavs feature zone at times, too, to maybe slow him down and/or Randle, who even with him off, is such a powerful big? I could maybe see that, especially if Robinson is not a go.

It’s also uncertain how much we’ll end up seeing Cam Reddish, who I’d imagine Cleveland would put Isaac Okoro on, or Dylan Windler in spurts, in this one. He played sparingly in his debut on Sunday for New York, and was just coming off an ankle sprain.

And as a side note, Kemba Walker, who’s largely been a flop signing this season, is questionable here, and I could maybe see him being out eventually, from a knee soreness standpoint. How effective he could be, and Rondo on the other end, could be something to watch as well, but I’m not overly concerned about him at this juncture, particularly with Cleveland’s defense.

Anyway, even with Cleveland not having Markkanen here, and them needing to adjust some things soon, I do believe that they’ll feel it out as the game progresses, and hopefully can get some transition buckets after solid closeouts and timely help at the other end.

Cleveland takes it in a lower scorer game, but New York covers, as I do think the Cavs have some things to iron out sans Markkanen. Cleveland ends up 30-17-1 on the season against the spread following this game.

Prediction: Cavs 102, Knicks 96

The Bet: Knicks (+6.5), UNDER

Cavaliers-Knicks: Where to watch

This second meeting of the 2021-22 season between the Cavaliers and Knicks can be seen on Bally Sports Ohio and MSG Network, for those that applies.

And for fans without those, and/or not in-market for either, NBA League Pass will do the trick for those subscribed.

Cavs upcoming schedule:

After this Knicks game, the Cavaliers will host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, which will be the third meeting of the season between those Central Division foes, with both having been in Milwaukee. Milwaukee took the first, and Cleveland took the second, but the Bucks were so shorthanded due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols absences.

From there, the Cavs will face the Detroit Pistons on the road, who are a club that’s mightily struggled this season, although they are in the early stages of a full-rebuild and there are constant trade rumors involving Jerami Grant. Detroit does have some impressive young guys, even still, and Cade Cunningham is starting to look like a potential franchise centerpiece.

Following that Pistons game, Cleveland will take on the New Orleans Pelicans at home, in the second game of a back-to-back. The Cavaliers will hope to avenge their loss at the Pels from last month, where they blew a huge lead, albeit without Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen active.