The Eastern Conference Finals tip off at Madison Square Garden as New York host Cleveland in Game 1. The Knicks bring elite defensive structure and home-court dominance, while the Cavaliers counter with offensive firepower and playoff resilience.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS @ NEW YORK KNICKS
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Odds: CLE $3.10 / NY $1.39
East Finals – Game 1
New York finished the season with a +6.4 differential and a dominant 30-10 home record. Cleveland averaged 119.5 PPG during the season but concede 115.4 per game. The Cavaliers’ +4.1 differential suggests competitiveness, but MSG has been a genuine fortress.
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| CLE | 52 | 30 | 27-14 | 25-16 |
| NY | 53 | 29 | 30-10 | 23-19 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| CLE | 119.5 | 115.4 | +4.1 | 234.9 |
| NY | 116.5 | 110.1 | +6.4 | 226.6 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| CLE | OVER | |
| +7.5 | 217.5 |
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks will open the 2025-26 Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, with New York entering the series as one of the hottest teams in the league. The Knicks swept Philadelphia in the previous round and now ride a seven-game winning streak, winning by an average margin of 26.4 points during that span.
Jalen Brunson has been sensational throughout the playoffs, while Karl-Anthony Towns continues to dominate as both a scorer and facilitator. Cleveland survived a gruelling seven-game battle with Detroit behind the brilliance of Donovan Mitchell, but the Cavaliers now face a Knicks side that has historically owned this playoff matchup.
Team Trends
- The Knicks have won each of their last 7 games.
- Each of the last 5 playoff games between the Cavaliers and Knicks have gone UNDER the total points line.
- The Knicks have won the first half in each of their last 9 home games against the Cavaliers.
- The Knicks have covered the line in each of their last 9 home games when playing with a rest advantage.
Player Trends
- Jalen Brunson – Made 3+ threes in 6 of the Knicks’ last 7 playoff home games.
- James Harden – Made 4+ threes in each of his last 4 appearances against the Knicks.
- Sam Merrill – Made 2+ threes in each of the Cavaliers’ last 4 games.
- James Harden – Recorded 6+ assists in each of his last 7 road appearances against the Knicks.
- Jalen Brunson – Recorded 6+ assists in each of the Knicks’ last 3 games.
- Donovan Mitchell – Recorded 4+ assists in each of his last 12 road appearances against the Knicks.
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Recorded 6+ assists in each of the Knicks’ last 7 games.
- OG Anunoby – Scored 17+ points in each of his last 6 appearances.
- Jalen Brunson – Scored 26+ points in each of the Knicks’ last 8 playoff home games.
- James Harden – Scored 22+ points in each of his last 6 Game 1 appearances of a playoff series.
- Donovan Mitchell – Scored 30+ points in 9 of his last 10 Game 1 appearances of a playoff series.
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Scored 20+ points in each of his last 8 Conference Finals appearances.
- Mikal Bridges – Scored 10+ points in each of his 12 previous home appearances against the Cavaliers.
- Jarrett Allen – Recorded 7+ rebounds in 13 of his last 14 road appearances after playing under 30 minutes in the Cavaliers’ previous game.
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Recorded 10+ rebounds in 14 of his last 15 home appearances after playing under 30 minutes in the Knicks’ previous game.
- Evan Mobley – Recorded 8+ rebounds in each of the Cavaliers’ last 5 road games against the Knicks.
- Mitchell Robinson – Recorded 7+ rebounds in each of his last 8 appearances against the Cavaliers.
PICK – CLEVELAND +7.5
