NBA Prop Bets: New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers (May 21, 2026)
The Cleveland Cavaliers face the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. Let's take a look at the NBA Prop Bets for Thursday's matchup. The Knicks are favored to win at -245, currently marked as 6.5-point favorites, while the Cavaliers are at +200. The total points line is set at 215.5, with OVER at -112 and UNDER at -108, meaning the implied expected score for the game is 111-104 New York.
- The Knicks (-112) have a 52-41-1 ATS record this season including playoffs, while the Cavaliers (-108) hold a record of 39-57-1.
- The Knicks have a 44-49-1 O/U record this season including playoffs (meaning 44 games have gone over the total points line, 49 have gone under and one has resulted in a push). The Cavaliers have a 50-47-0 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- New York has averaged 119.9 points throughout this season's playoffs, while giving up 101.3. Comparatively, Cleveland has scored 109.9 per game and allowed 109.2. Looking at their best and worst postseason offensive performances, the Knicks' playoff-high is 144 while their playoff-low is 106. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' high is 126 and low is 89.
Game Style
What do the stats tell us about the style of basketball these teams are playing during the postseason?
Field Goal Split
- Looking at field goal splits during the playoffs, 38.2% of the Knicks' field goal attempts have come from three point range, leaving 61.8% from two. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' opponents have taken 34.7% of their attempts from three and 65.3% from two.
- Comparatively, Cleveland has taken 46.1% of shots from three, leaving 53.9% from two, while New York's opponents have attempted 43.8% from three and 56.2% from two.
Beyond the Arc
- In terms of made three-pointers, the Knicks have shot 39.9% from deep throughout the postseason, compared to the Cavaliers who are making 33.9% of their attempts.
- On the opposite end, New York has held opponents to 31.3% of their three-point attempts, while Cleveland's opponents have hit 36.9% of their shots.
Ball Protection
- The Knicks are committing 13.8 turnovers per game in these playoffs, while the Cavaliers have forced 15.8 turnovers across the postseason.
- Flipping that script, New York is forcing 15.2 turnovers, while Cleveland is committing 16.9.
Crashing the Boards
- New York is pulling down 44.9 rebounds per game during the playoffs, including 10.6 offensive boards. Conversely, Cleveland's opponents are averaging 41.0 rebounds, 12.2 of which have come on the offensive end.
- Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have averaged 41.9 rebounds and 12.1 offensive rebounds, while the Knicks are allowing 35.4 and 9.2.
First Quarter Winner
New York is -155 to win the first quarter, while Cleveland is +130. Here are their first quarter records in this season's playoffs.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 8-3-0 | 5-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 8-2-0 | 0-1-0 |
| Cleveland | 6-8-1 | 4-3-0 | 2-5-1 | 5-4-1 | 1-4-0 |
First Half Winner
New York is -185 to win the first half and Cleveland is +154. Here are their first half records in this season's playoffs.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 8-3-0 | 4-2-0 | 4-1-0 | 7-3-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Cleveland | 5-8-2 | 3-3-1 | 2-5-1 | 3-5-2 | 2-3-0 |
HT/FT
New York is -150 to complete the HT/FT double. Conversely, Cleveland is +260.
- The Knicks have completed the HT/FT double in 47.9% of games since the beginning of the regular season, while the Cavaliers have completed the HT/FT double in 41.2% of games. During the playoffs, New York has completed the HT/FT double in seven of 11 games, while Cleveland has completed the HT/FT double in four of 15 contests.
To Go To Overtime
Thursday's matchup is +1800 to go to overtime.
- The Knicks have played in three games that went to overtime since the beginning of the regular season, while the Cavaliers have appeared in six. New York has played in one games that went to overtime during the postseason. Meanwhile, Cleveland has appeared in three.
Both Teams 110+
- Both teams have scored 110+ points in one of New York's [y] games during the playoffs. Meanwhile, four of Cleveland's 15 postseason games have seen both squads reach that number.
Last Time They Met
The Knicks recorded a 115-104 overtime victory over the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. The Knicks now hold a 1-0 series lead. Jalen Brunson dominated both ends on that day, finishing with 38 points and three steals.