The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are tied 1-1 in their season series, but someone will take the lead after tonight’s game at Madison Square Garden.
There’s some great news for the Cavs, as guard Donovan Mitchell went through a full practice yesterday and is on track to suit up for this game after missing time with a groin injury.
#Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell is out here with a practice jersey as the team wraps things up.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) January 23, 2023
Feels like a good indication for tomorrow in New York.
This game may mean a little more for Mitchell, who was nearly dealt to the Knicks this offseason before Cleveland swooped in to grab him from the Utah Jazz.
Big man Mitchell Robinson is out for the Knicks, which could give Cleveland a major advantage down low. Immanuel Quickley (questionable) is also on the injury report for New York.
The Knicks are in a bit of a slide, losing four straight games, but they still have the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland, on the other hand, is in the No. 5 spot in the East, three games ahead of the Miami Heat and four ahead of New York.
Here’s a look at the latest odds and my best bet for this game:
Cavaliers vs. Knicks odds, spread and total
Cavaliers vs. Knicks prediction and pick
The Cavs have struggled on the road this season, going just 9-14 straight up, but luckily they are facing a Knicks team that has been terrible at home this season.
New York is just 1-4-1 against the spread as a home underdog, and the team is two games under .500 at home.
It’s a curious issue that has plagued for the Knicks in each of the last two seasons, so I think Cleveland is a little undervalued with Mitchell back in the lineup on Tuesday.
Over the last 10 games, the Knicks are just 21st in the NBA in net rating, and their bench is one of the worst in the NBA if Quickley is unable to go.
I also think Cleveland will get whatever it wants at the rim with Robinson out, and the Knicks have really struggled in fourth quarters in their last two games against Atlanta and Toronto.
Cleveland hasn’t been a great bet on the road, but I’ll lay the points with the Cavs as short favorites tonight.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
—
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.